Karim Khassal, of Three Bridges, Crawley, said: “It was sunny and Mia had spent the day in the garden. She doesn’t wander so it was out of character when she didn’t come home in the evening. The roads around here can be quite busy so we feared the worst, but something drove me to walk the streets looking for her.”

Mia has been a much-loved cat after she was mis-sold at only four-five weeks old, the innocent victim of a misleading online advertisement.

Karim and his family mustered all efforts to find Mia. They posted alerts on local social media groups, pasted appeals on lampposts, notified the microchip company and went door-to-door with leaflets asking people to check their garages and sheds.

Karim said: “We were beside ourselves with worry, the whole family. We know that even the most homely cats can be tempted to wander when the weather is good, which is why I knocked on so many doors, some twice, asking them to check their sheds.”

As Mia has only half a tail and is very friendly, Karim hoped her distinctive look would make her memorable to anyone who spotted her. Despite their best efforts and getting word out among Crawley’s Facebook cat groups, poor Mia was still not home after five nights away.

Early one morning, Mia’s pitiful cries were heard and the race to rescue her began.

Karim said: “My mum was pegging out washing in our back garden when she heard a very faint meow. She must have been so desperate as she hasn’t really meowed before.

“My mum rushed to the neighbour’s house and banged on the door. We had knocked previously but they hadn’t been home. I even posted a leaflet through their door but presumably they didn’t check their shed. If mum hadn’t heard Mia and been quite persistent at the door, Mia could have perished there.

“I hate to think that she was locked in all that time. She must have been so scared and was clearly very hungry and thirsty when she came home. She doesn’t normally drink water but immediately lapped up a whole bowl. We took her to be checked by our vet and thankfully she was given the all clear and is just happy to be home with her buddy Milo.

“I hope people take note and remember to look before they lock. We were lucky. It could have ended much worse. I wouldn’t want another family or another cat to go through this.”

Mia’s story has a happy ending but of the thousands of cats reported missing every year, many have been accidentally locked in outbuildings. Spring and summer can be tempting times when people open their sheds to do a spot of gardening or to take out garden furniture.

Cats Protection is urging people to check sheds and garages before shutting the door and has produced a downloadable ‘Look Before You Lock’ door hanger to reinforce its message. 

Nicky Trevorrow, Cats Protection’s Behaviour Manager, said: “Cats are notoriously curious creatures that like to investigate their surroundings. They also tend to wander further when the weather gets warmer and an open shed or garage can be too inviting to pass by.

“The risk is that they go unnoticed and when the door is closed they become trapped, often for many days without food or water and possibly surrounded by garage or garden products that can be toxic to cats.

“We’re encouraging people to have a final check of their sheds and outbuildings before locking them. Whether storing away garden furniture or stashing bikes or tools, take that last look. Rattle things around in case a cat is hiding. Something so simple could save a cat’s life.”