Please help Philip find his best friend

Philip Caton, 15, sorely misses Garfield, his furry ginger friend, after he went missing at about 8am on December 23, from his home in Bardfield, Vange.

Philip’s mum Samantha, 35, said her son has not been himself since Garfield’s mysterious disappearance. She said that the beloved pet often calms Philip down and comforts him when he is struggling.

She said: “Garfield sometimes leaves the house for one and a half days but he has never been gone for this long. When he didn’t show up at Christmas, I rang the cat sanctuary, vets, and searched the local area and there was no luck.

“Philip absolutely adores animals and he really loves Garfield. Garfield is his best friend because he gives Philip the confidence and friendship he needs.

“Whenever we go out, if Philip sees dog walkers with their pets he would approach them and pet their dogs.

“It’s the honesty of animals that Philip loves. And they don’t ask any questions or hurt him. Since Garfield’s been missing he’s been feeling really down.

“Whenever my son has one of his episodes, which usually happens once or twice a week, Garfield would just come to comfort him.

“Over the years we’ve learnt how to deal with it but Garfield really does help him relax.

“It’s like he’s got a sixth sense, he just knows when Philip is upset and he goes to comfort him like telling him everything is OK, and Philip will calm down.”

The family picked up Garfield two years ago in a car park when he was a four-week-old stray kitten. Mrs Caton described Garfield as a friendly, tamed and placid ginger cat.

She said: “Garfield is very distinctive-looking because he’s fully ginger coloured like the cartoon character Garfield. He is also microchipped and has a blue collar.

“As Philip lives with autism, we need to look at things from a different perspective and he really needs Garfield to support him.”

Anyone with information can contact Mrs Caton on facebook.com/sam.caton.98.