Melvin the cat was picked up on the streets of Glasgow, but his microchip was registered to an address in Australia. Pic: SSPCA

One expat moggie has proved that he has nine lives and 9,000 air miles. 

Melvin the cat was registered to an address in Australia but was found living on the streets in Scotland. 

Melvin was picked up by the Scottish Society for Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (SSPCA) when a member of the public reported their concerns for the stray. He had been visiting their home for months for a free meal twice a day. However, they had grown concerned for him after a decline in his health.

SSPCA vets scanned Melvin to see if he was microchipped and were surprised when it was revealed he was registered to an address in Australia.  

After some investigation, the mystery behind Melvin’s epic journey was solved and the team were able to reunite him with his owners Jacqueline and Matt Dick, after nine months apart.

The couple had previously lived in Australia and adopted Australian-born Melvin as a kitten. After 14 years living here, they decided to move home to Scotland, and brought Melvin and their border collie Max with them. However, eight weeks later, Melvin went missing.

Discussing the reunion, Scottish SPCA chief inspector Laura McIntyre said: “We were delighted to be able to reunite Melvin with Jacqueline and Matt after all this time.” 

The team later learned that while in Australia, Melvin was attacked by a hungry dingo and only survived thanks to their collie Max, who scared the dingo off.