I WONDER why we are always being told to get our pets micro-chipped when nobody actually bothers to read them.

I have recently lost a cat, which had just moved to live with a friend in the Haydock area. He seemed to settle in well to his new home and then just disappeared nearly three weeks ago. I think the heavy rain that week confused him and he may have lost his way home.

He is micro-chipped but unless he is taken to a vets or a rescue centre I will never know what has happened to him.

If he has been run over, road cleaners may have just cleaned him away like rubbish.. Also if someone has taken him in or stolen him I will never know so what was the point of the microchip?

I hadn't dumped this cat. I found him a home after his owner died. I looked after him for five months and my children are very upset at not knowing what has happened to him. I couldn't keep him as I already have two quite elderly cats.

If you have found a stray cat or dog please take them to any vets or rescue centre just to check if they are micro-chipped and have an owner who is missing them. In the case of my cat if he has found himself a home then use the chip details to contact St Helens Star (01744 611861), so I at least know he is safe.

l MRS J Burrows, Whiston, Prescot.