Brit's missing cat found on ferry in Spain

PORTSMOUTH, England, Dec. 16 (UPI) -- A British family said their missing cat was discovered on a ferry that traveled to Spain and was treated to a luxury ride home in a $434 cabin.

Tim and Patricia Austin, both 67, of Portsmouth, England, said their cat, Sandi, disappeared after they let him outside Thursday night and he did not return as usual in the morning, The Sun reported Wednesday.

The couple said they received a phone call four days later informing them Sandi had been found hiding beneath a truck on the P&O Pride of Bilbao ferry as it was being unloaded in Bilbao, Spain.

Ferry crew members said the cat was given his own cabin for the 36-hour trip home and was fed fresh salmon, grilled chicken and fresh milk.

"From what I understand he lived a life of luxury on the ferry on the way back. The crew treated him like a king and fed him a special menu and were even upset to see him leave," Tim Austin said. "Thankfully, he had been microchipped so it was possible for the agencies involved to contact us. He would probably have been put down otherwise. But we are just glad he is back.

"He now has to be put into quarantine for six months in case he caught any diseases while he was over there but because he did not leave the ship we will try to appeal," he said.