Oil rig workers were surprised to find a friendly one-eyed black cat in a store room who appeared to be a “very friendly” stowaway.
After a call on social media it was discovered that Jack, or Dexter, and sometimes Joe, is a well-known feral cat who lives in and around Peterhead – and last week must have nipped aboard a ship.
Described as a friendly and affectionate cat by dozens of people who commented on his plight – he is now being flown back to Aberdeen by helicopter.
He will then be handed into the care of the Scottish SPCA.
Jack gets a meal at everyone’s door
Now the local community are expecting the cat home on a helicopter – but it seems so many people looked after the moggie – he will be taken into the care of the Scottish SPCA.
Jack was discovered aboard an oil rig, believed to have been taken by supply ship from Peterhead.
After a post on community Facebook group Peterhead Live, it seems Jack has been getting a meal at everyone’s door.
He is described as the Asco and the prison cat at HMP Grampian, with many recognising him with his one eye and his distinctive white mark on his chest.
The post read: “My husband is offshore just now on night shift and this poor cat was found in a stores container last night.”
Jack was found in a store container
It said: “Anyone missing a black cat with one eye with very slight white marking on his chest?
“Believe it or not, he has turned up offshore, was found in one of the stores containers. Very friendly cat and is needing reunited with his owner.”
Following the post, dozens of people claimed to know him. Many claiming that either they fed him – or knew someone who did.
One woman, Caroline Louise Anderson, said: “That’s the cat my other half feeds, hinna seen it for a wee while, now I know why.”
Another, Sarah Mitchell, said: “My boyfriend works at Asco security and he said it looks like the cat that stays at Asco.”
Then another said: “That’s the HMP Grampian jail cat, think he cuts about Asco as well.”
Mike Hebden joked: “Free the Grampian one – we want our cat back!”
Jackie Mallet said: “I think this is our cat.”
“Yes cat often seen going to houses adjacent to the jail suspect owner lives in there somewhere,” Michael Cran said.
ZC Zoe said: “OMG one-eyed Joe made it offshore.”
Earlier today, Peterhead Live updated readers on the fate of the cat.
Making his way back to HMP Grampian is Peterhead’s prison cat “one eyed Joe”. He’s just been dropped off by helicopter in Aberdeen after being found in a container on a North Sea rig. @ScottishSPCA pic.twitter.com/IazduNInvo
— Robbie Boyle (@robbie_boyle) April 22, 2022
A reader told the town team: “Jack the one-eyed cat is now ready to make the chopper journey back to Aberdeen.
“By the sounds of it he has enjoyed his little adventure offshore on the rig, he has been spoiled rotten by everyone getting loads of attention and plenty treats of chicken from the kitchen.
Jack looked after by Peterhead prison
“Staff from HMP have been in touch with my husband to say Jack has lived by the prison for a long time and has been looked after by them.
“Jack will be brought back on the chopper to Aberdeen today where the SSPCA will collect him and hopefully he will be back to see all his friends at HMP and Asco very soon.”
She added: “He will have loads of stories to tell about his adventure.”
The Scottish SPCA has been contacted to comment.
