Southampton family fears Bengal cat could have been stolen

Ashley Whitcombe said the absence of beloved Bengal Saffi, aged three, has left a gaping hole in their lives.

Saffi escaped from the family home in Maybush on October 3, and has not been seen since.

The mum-of-three has been out searching for the pet – who they only recently adopted – across Southampton, but with no luck.

Saffi the cat with the youngest of Ashley Whitcombe's children (Image: Ashley Whitcombe) Ashley said: “We are all absolutely devastated.

“My three kids really want Saffi home, especially as my eldest is a real animal lover and my middle child just loves her.

“When we were looking for a cat, we saw Saffi and thought she was absolutely beautiful.

“She was used for breeding and then her previous owners did not want her anymore, so we rescued her a few weeks ago.

“We have wanted to give her a better life.”

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Several searches have been held by Ashley and the family, with them trawling through most of Shirley after a sighting.

“My children really miss her, she is so cuddly”, Ashley said.

Saffi is known to be quite vocal, similarly to other Bengal cats, and enjoyed ‘having conversations’ with the family.

Ashley said: “This is not nice for my kids as we have only just welcomed her in.

“The last sighting was on Friday, October 4. We are looking high and low for her.

“We are hoping that if she is found, whoever finds her takes her to the vets as she is microchipped.

“But we are worried someone has purposefully taken her.

“We are offering a reward for her return so please call me on 07527 164130 if you see or find Saffi.”