CELEBRITY cat George, who has racked up over 9,000 social media followers, is the latest cat to be 'abducted' in the Thornhill area, owners say.

George, who is just over two years old, went missing on Friday night leaving his owners Steve Haywood, Vanessa and two other 'cat siblings' extremely worried.

Steve said: “We are gutted and very worried. George has never been out for longer than a day.

"There's a worrying trend on Thornhill of cats going missing and I have reported that George is missing.

"I think everyone on Thornhill should report the missing cats or we won't get anywhere."

Whitehaven News: George at home, where his family want to desperately see him againGeorge at home, where his family want to desperately see him again (Image: Newsquest)

However, Steve is hoping that this is the worst case scenario and George does return. The family are trying to remain positive as many stories surface of cats returning home after being missing, but Steve said "there is always that thought he doesn't with the suspicious goings on."

George is always allowed out of the home but he never goes out at night and returns home to either sleep on the sofa with his own cardigan or cuddled in bed with his owners.

The ordeal started on Saturday when Vanessa realised that George was no longer on the sofa where he slept that night but as he usually leaves to go out they did not think too much of it.

Steve and Vanessa spoil George with chicken in his dinner and when he did not return for this Vanessa started to panic, but Steve tried to reassure her. However, George has not returned since.

 

 

George has quite the following on Twitter under his 'Gorgeous George' page where he has racked up 9,000 followers.

The followers of the account are not all local - and many are from across the pond - but they are hanging on Steve's every word hoping for an update.

Steve said the response has been great but mentioned "for every 100 people, you get a response saying 'you shouldn't have let him out' but it's the way people are on social media."

Steve said that members of the Thornhill residents group have reported their cats have went missing.

He said: "If one goes missing it is just a missing cat, but eight of them is a pattern.

"Eight is a pattern we could look into and eight is a pattern where we could maybe catch someone."

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