He’s been spotted more than 30km from where he vanished nearly a month ago, but Schultz the cat’s owners won’t give up.
The search for Maleny Vet’s resident cat has ramped up after sightings were reported at Witta, Conondale and Cambroon following an alleged ‘cat-napping’ late last month.
The clinic has put out regular calls for help, posting on social media, chasing a deluge of leads and conducted multiple searches.
But still no beloved Schultz.
The clinic’s mascot of 13 years went missing from 27 Coral St on Monday, July 25, in what the practice has called an honest case of “mistaken identity.”
According to multiple public reports, a cat resembling Schultz was seen being picked up by a man in front of the Maleny Hardware and Rural Supplies.
Schultz was then placed into his vehicle.
The vehicle has been described as pale green with a white roof and was possibly a van or 4WD.
Maleny Vet nurse Lauren McGrath said the clinic even hired a private pet investigator at the time to help track him down.
“We believe someone picked Schultz up literally thinking it was his own cat,” she said.
“He then escaped from there because he obviously wasn’t used to that household.”
Multiple sightings were then reported in the Cambroon area on August 8, specifically along Chapel Road and Chinaman Creek Road.
Residents received a missing cat flyer in their letterboxes with the sweetest thing attached– Shultz’s favourite dry cat food.
“A team of staff door-knocked and chatted with many helpful residents, we left cages too, that we move around depending on the sighting locations,” Dr McGrath said.
A more recent tip-off closer to Witta turned out to be bittersweet for all parties.
A stray tabby cat was found in a roof but upon inspection it wasn’t Shultz.
“Nurse Deb managed to catch the cat, bring it back here, find her microchip and then track down her owner that way,” Dr McGrath said.
“It turned out that cat had actually been missing for two months.
“That definitely helps give us hope for Shultz. We were sad it wasn’t him, but happy we could help reunite her with her owner.”
Dr McGrath said the team was missing Shultz dearly.
“It is sad, you get used to having an animal around,” she said.
Schultz arrived at the Maleny veterinary practice to be put down 13 years ago after being mistaken for a feral cat.
“Everyone just fell in love with him and he’s been here ever since,” Dr Schultz said.
“He’s been missing awhile so it gets more of a worry.
“But he’s a very street smart and robust cat so we are hoping he’s hanging around and people haven’t managed to see him yet. Hopefully he’s getting by.”
The practice is still getting regular leads and a cash reward on offer by the clinic for his safe return still stands.
“We are so grateful so far, the community has been amazing in keeping an eye out, sharing the Facebook posts,” she said.
“It’s such huge area… so any possible sightings are really helpful.”
Schultz is a male desexed, microchipped black and grey Tabby, with a large frame who should be wearing a red collar with a red ID tag.
He is very social and friendly cat and loves the sound of food being rattled around.
If you’ve seen Schultz phone Maleny Veterinary services on (07) 5494 3622
