**Cat Owners in Powys Town Urged to Keep Pets Indoors Amidst Surge in Missing Felines**
Residents in the Garth Owen area of Newtown, Powys, are being strongly advised to keep their cats indoors following a series of disappearances that have left the local community concerned. Around ten cats have reportedly gone missing from the neighbourhood over the past year, with a noticeable increase in reports in recent months.
The animal rights organisation People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA) has responded to these troubling events by issuing a “red alert” for the area. In a statement, the charity highlighted the critical importance of safeguarding cats by keeping them inside, especially given the escalating number of disappearances. Elisa Allen, Vice President of Programmes at PETA, urged residents to take the warnings seriously, noting that, “Cats count on us to protect them, and the best way to do that is by ensuring they remain safe indoors.”
While the fate of many of these missing pets remains uncertain, there have been both heartrending losses and moments of relief. Last October, a much loved cat named Ringo vanished from his home. Fortunately, several months later, Ringo was found and reunited with his family, after being discovered miles away from Newtown. However, not all families have experienced such positive outcomes; Powys Animal Welfare confirmed that one of the missing cats was tragically found dead.
Local voices have played a significant part in drawing attention to the situation. Kelly Healy, a councillor for the area and an experienced former cat rescue operator, noted a disturbing pattern in recent disappearances. Speaking to the press, she described the impact on pet owners as devastating. One local resident, she explained, had suffered the loss of three cats from the same household and now felt unable to risk taking in another pet.
Healy expressed particular surprise at the scale and strangeness of the disappearances. “I ran a cat rescue for seven years,” she said, “and we never had cats vanish like this. There have been sad cases, but never anything quite so odd or consistent.” The distances involved in some recoveries only add to the mystery; several cats have been found miles away, in locations ranging from Shropshire to as far as Aberystwyth.
A range of hazards exists for cats allowed to roam freely outdoors. PETA has warned that in addition to the risk of abduction, outdoor cats face dangers such as accidents, poisoning, getting lost, contracting serious diseases, or sustaining injuries from various sources. As a result, they renew their call for tighter supervision of pet cats and encourage owners to consider keeping their pets indoors, where possible.
Healy has also urged owners to ensure their pets are microchipped and neutered, noting that microchipping can facilitate the safe return of lost animals and neutering can help to reduce the likelihood of cats wandering off in search of mates. “And if you’ve lost a cat in the area, please reach out to me,” she added, offering her support to distressed owners.
Dyfed-Powys Police have confirmed that they are conducting enquiries to determine if any laws have been broken in relation to the missing animals. A spokesperson for the force stated: “We have received two reports raising concerns about missing cats in the Garth Owen area of Newtown. Enquiries are ongoing to establish if a criminal offence has occurred.”
The situation has underscored the vulnerability of domestic pets when allowed to roam, and has sparked conversation both locally and online about responsible pet ownership and community vigilance. For now, authorities and animal welfare groups continue to monitor the situation, while anxious pet owners wait in hope of their companions’ safe return.
The story serves as a reminder that the safety of household pets should never be taken for granted, and communities are urged to work together in order to support and protect one another’s beloved animals.