Search is on to find the owner of fare-dodging kitty

Keighley-based Yorkshire Cat Rescue took in the plucky cat after it was spotted boarding a bus in Long Lee, Keighley.

It was escorted off by the driver and a concerned onlooker who was worried it might get hit by a car when he remained on the road, took him in and called the charity for help.

“Merlin, as we have decided to call him, is no more than six months old and a real love bug. We are certain he belongs to someone but sadly he isn’t microchipped and isn’t wearing a collar. Our only hope is that the owner comes looking for him,” said Jo Chafer, Assistant Centre Manager at Yorkshire Cat Rescue.

No one knows if Merlin is a regular traveller; he might live nearby or he could have been a commuter from further away.

Ms Chafer added: “Merlin got on the bus with such confidence that he may well have done it before and been dropped off somewhere far from home. Maybe he was trying to get home, or maybe he just fancied an adventure. We simply don’t know.”

Merlin is an all-black male cat. The charity will advertise him as lost before efforts can begin to re-home him.

Ms Chafer said: “This boy is incredibly loving and affectionate. All he wants to do is cuddle so if we are unable to find his family, I’m confident he won’t have to wait long for a new home. But we would much prefer to get him back to his real owner.

“This boy clearly has places to go and people to see. He just needs to learn a bit more about traffic first.”

If no one comes forward to claim Merlin, he will be neutered, chipped, vaccinated and then put up for adoption.

Anyone who knows who Merlin might belong to should contact the charity on 01535 647184 [email protected]