An inspired effort by the RSPCA Yagoona…

A seven-year-old Himalayan cat missing since Friday, August 13, 2005, was reunited with his owner almost three years later – with the help of Facebook.

An RSPCA inspector found Jacob the cat in Claymore, south-western Sydney, recently and took him to the Yagoona animal shelter. A microchip scan revealed the owner’s name, Maria Zissis, but her phone had since been disconnected.

RSPCA staff then spoke to the other contact listed on the chip, who told them she hadn’t spoken to or seen the owner in years but thought Ms Zissis might have a Facebook page.

Staff found the site and sent her a message.

Ms Zissis said: “I logged on to my Facebook page and saw I had a message from the RSPCA.

“I couldn’t believe it when they told me they found Jacob.
SMH.com.au

Not only is this a great show of going above and beyond for the benefit of their pets, it’s a brilliant example of smart interaction with the media.


Internet based news websites churn through content (most are updated hourly) so a snappy, interesting feel-good story with a modern hook such as “facebook” is pure genius.


(Note the lack of death, lack of resources or abused pets).


Whomever is caring for the public relations at this RSPCA should be wagging their tail today.