THE amazing return of a long-lost cat who vanished for two years only to come back – minus a leg – has prompted a search for the good Samaritans who looked after her.

Dipsy hopped back into the life of adopted owner Jaya Patel, of Clacton, on October 31.

Jaya, 68, and husband Kaushik, 73, had given up all hope of ever seeing her again when the then 18-year-old Dipsy went missing after the couple’s three-week holiday to India.

She said: “We saw her for just a week and then she disappeared from March 2014.

“After several days we wondered where she was and began searching the surrounding areas, hoping she’d return as we really missed her.

“But as the months went on, the realisation set in that maybe Dipsy had found a new home or she’d met an ill fate.”

Clacton and Frinton Gazette:

Injured - Dipsy after her mystery accident

The black and white cat would only wander off occasionally, but sometimes was away for days at a time.

Dipsy’s adventurous spirit was probably down to her early life, which she spent at the back of Mrs Patel’s home having been fostered by another resident as a kitten.

She had the run of the space and nearby farmland without her two other siblings, who were rehomed.

But when the nursery closed in 2000, Dipsy moved into Jaya’s home and became a much-loved pet.

“She lived in the greenhouses and sunbathed on our rockery,” said Jaya.

“Any of our visitors, including our four grandchildren, were given a tour of the garden by Dipsy, but she had her dislikes.

“Nobody was allowed to pick her up or carry her. We thought maybe she had some frightful incident which made her wary, but she lived harmoniously with all the wild birds in the garden.”

When Dipsy returned to St John’s Road, following an earlier false sighting, Jaya was ecstatic.

The nervous cat was coaxed inside with her favourite chicken slices and eventually let herself be pampered.

However, her brief return was bittersweet.

Clacton and Frinton Gazette:

Longing - Jaya tries to entice Dipsy back for good

Jaya said: “Dipsy only stayed for an hour before disappearing into the darkness.

“We saw her again on November 1 and she’s been back four times now – each time coming closer to the house.

“I was appalled to notice her front left leg was missing, but somebody has cared for her these last two years.

“My only quest now is to find this selfless person and tell them how grateful I am.”