THE CAT'S BLISTERS

They had found her a new home, but she longed for her old family.

Although Mimine had no idea where they were she set off to find them.

It took her 13 months, 500 miles and pretty sore paws, but she did it.

And her old owners, who thought they had left her safely settled with a family near Toulouse, in southern France, were astonished when she turned up at their new home in Treveray, in the north.

The family, who have two daughters – Zoe, six and Meloee, eight – now plan to keep Mimine after all. The mother, who asked not to be named, said: “It is definitely her. We are absolutely amazed. No other cat would have turned up unannounced and started rubbing us, and asking us to caress her in the way we always did in the past.”

Vet Marie-Pierre François said: “We have verified that the journey definitely took place, but are still trying to work out exactly what she did, to find a place she had never been to before.

“Cats have an extraordinary sixth sense, and that’s what she used. Nature throws up amazing surprises, but this is one of the most incredible.”