A CAT found injured and alone on Saint Valentine's Day has been reunited with his owner after they spent four and a half months apart.

 The cat, who it was later discovered is called Shadow, was reported to the RSPCA on Valentine's Day, after he was seen staggering, in the Chepstow Road area of Newport.

Shadow had an injured left hind and an old wound on his chest, but veterinary inspection revealed that fortunately this was not a severe problem.

When RSPCA Cymru collected the cat, it was found to be microchipped - but the details on the chip were not up-to-date.

The RSPCA worked to locate the owner's new details, and - thankfully - ensured Shadow was reunited with his owner. It was discovered they had been apart for a staggering four and a half months.

Christine McNeil, the RSPCA inspector who ensured the pair were reunited, said: “This was a fantastic Valentine's Day love story.

“When I collected Shadow, he was alone, injured and with an out-of-date microchip. Thankfully, we were able to track down the owner's new details and ensure Shadow was reunited with his family.

“The work of an RSPCA inspector is often tough, so it is so nice to be involved in a happy and rewarding ending like this.

“It’s a story which highlights the importance of permanently identifying pets, and keeping microchip details up-to-date, even after a pet may have gone missing.”

Gillian Baldwin, owner of Shadow, said: “I missed him Shadow so much – but I always knew in my heart that we’d be back together again.

 “Shadow has settled back in brilliantly. It’s like he’s never been away. He was so happy to be back home – he wouldn’t leave me alone!

It’s just so nice to have him home.“