WHEN young cat Kariba disappeared from her Oxfordshire home, her family feared the worst.

After frantically knocking on neighbours’ doors and covering the area in posters, they eventually gave up and thought they would never see her again.

But last week, after nine months away, Kariba strolled back into the family home in Horspath – only to find out there is a new cat in town.

Owner the Rev Clare Hayns said: “Towards the end of June, Kariba just disappeared. We put posters up and asked all the neighbours, we were asking everyone.

“By August we thought that was it, she’s never coming back.

“We had to break the news to the boys and they were really upset.”

Especially sad was six-year-old Daniel, who was consoled by older brothers Micah, 14, and Simeon, 11.

So to cheer them up, in October, mum and dad John decided to buy the family a new kitten, and Obi joined the family.

Obi soon settled down to life in Horspath and the household returned to normal.

Until last week.

Mrs Hayns, curate for the Benefice of Bladon, said: “Last Thursday evening, we’d just gone to bed when all of a sudden, Kariba just strolled into the bedroom as though she’d never been away.

“Our dog Sheeba recognised her instantly.

“The boys were in bed, so we waited until the next morning to break the news to them. They were very shocked.”

She added: “It’s really funny, we have no idea where she’s been.”

It hasn’t all been plain sailing since two-and-a-half-year-old Kariba returned to the fold.

Mrs Hayns said: “Unfortunately Obi and Kariba aren’t too keen on each other – I think there’s a bit of jealousy there.

“Obi keeps pouncing on the older cat all the time.

“They’re not friends yet but hopefully they’ll get there.”

Simeon, 11, said: “It was sad when Kariba disappeared, I thought I’d never see her again.

“I was really happy when I found out she’d come home again.

“Obi and Kariba aren’t getting on too well at the moment but they are getting there.”