Hexham Hospital mascot cat found 60 miles away after being mistaken for a stray

A much-loved Hexham General Hospital visitor has been reunited with his owner after being taken more than 60 miles from home by someone who believed he was a stray.

Yang Bell, the hospital’s 19-year-old mascot cat, disappeared on Sunday, October 24, after Storm Boelo. His owner, Glynis Bell, became concerned when she could not find him in the places he usually visited and feared he may have been hurt by the heavy winds.

Yang is known for visiting Hexham General Hospital, near his home, almost every day. His regular visits provide company and comfort for patients and staff, while his Facebook page has attracted 10,000 followers.

Search leads to Cockermouth

After Yang went missing, Glynis posted a message on his Facebook account. Hours later, the owner of Kenzie's K9s Animal Search & Rescue in Cockermouth contacted her.

The charity had been approached by the woman who had taken Yang. She asked whether the organisation could scan the cat for a microchip. That check revealed he had been wrongly mistaken for a stray.

Glynis said the woman had taken Yang from the hospital and driven him to her property in Cockermouth, a journey of more than two hours and about 60 miles from his home.

“A lady had decided to take him from the hospital, thinking he was a stray and took him home to her property in Cockermouth, which was a two-plus hour drive away, 60 miles away from his home.”

Yang brought back to hospital

Yang was returned to the hospital at 8pm on Sunday. Although he was safely back with his owner, Glynis said he had been “very quiet” following the incident.

She added that a vet had said Yang was “traumatised from this event”.

Northumbria Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust welcomed Yang’s return and highlighted the role he plays at the hospital. The trust said he is a familiar presence who visits almost every day and brings comfort, companionship and smiles to patients and staff.

“Welcome back, Yang! We’ve missed you!”

The trust also said the “much-loved cat visitor” had made headlines after going missing and turning up 60 miles away.