Cat lovers have issued words of warning after influencer Olivia Mathers was reunited with her Bengal cat, more than two months after it mysteriously disappeared.
The Gold Coast model broke down in tears in a video shared on Friday as she cuddled her beloved feline named Haukie, who she believes was “stolen” by someone she knew.
But social media users have since weighed in on the tragedy and shared their advice on how to prevent her cat from going missing again.
Considering the comments about @influencer.updates.au‘s post, fans criticized the situation and encouraged Olivia to keep her cat indoors.
‘Wow, I didn’t expect this reunion! I thought it was long gone or killed! I hope she never lets him out again,” one user wrote.
“Can she really claim that the cat was stolen when she let it go and disappeared? I’m glad it was found, but the whole situation could have easily been avoided if she had done the responsible thing from the start,” another added.
‘This should be a lesson to all cat owners that your cat should never be allowed to roam!’
One follower commented: ‘It’s a Bengal, they are worth a lot of money and unfortunately they get stolen all the time.’
Cat lovers have issued words of warning after influencer Olivia Mathers (pictured) was reunited with her Bengal cat, more than two months after it mysteriously disappeared
“Maybe she’s learned her lesson: don’t keep her cat inside from now on,” said another.
Olivia thought she knew who was involved in Haukie’s disappearance, although there is no hard evidence other than screenshots of text exchanges suggesting Haukie was “stolen.”
In a post shared to her Instagram account on Friday, Olivia said she couldn’t be more grateful to those who helped in the search for the feline.
‘SHE’S HOME!!!! After two helpless months, a lovely couple not far from home posted about a Bengali who came to visit regularly. The photo was unmistakably Haukie,” she captioned her post.
Tocial media users have since weighed in on the drama and shared their advice in a bid to ensure her cat doesn’t go missing again. Fans responded to the comments on @influencer.updates.au’s post condemning the situation and encouraging Olivia to keep her cat indoors
“We’ve spent the last three days running, walking the streets, leaving the house and clinging to new hope. Tonight she followed our voices and ran back to me!!!!’
Olivia added, “Turns out the lady who saw her was our kind teacher (and the kindest soul you could ever imagine), a heartwarming coincidence that made the reunion so much more surreal.”
“Thanks to everyone who helped/kept her relevant while we searched for answers.”
Last month, Olivia sent out a desperate appeal to her 763,000 followers on Instagram asking them to keep an eye on the feline named Haukie.
Speaking to Ny Breaking Australia at the time, Olivia said she just wanted answers and for her ‘family member’ to be returned home.
Last month, Olivia put out a desperate appeal to her 763,000 followers on Instagram asking them to keep an eye on the feline named Haukie.
“Malibu (my dog) and I are missing three pounds of sass at home and can’t wait to have her back,” she said.
Taking to Instagram, Olivia shared several photos of the four-year-old Bengal cat she has owned since leaving home, revealing she was ‘taken’ on Saturday, April 27.
“Haukie was admittedly taken,” she wrote alongside two photos of her pet.
‘We think they’re trying to sell her. Keep an eye on marketplaces/in general.”
Shortly afterwards, Olivia revealed that she had ‘found’ the people who stole her pet.
She said the alleged thieves, who claimed to have “found” the cat, have changed their story.
“We have a timeline of events and substantial evidence that they did something to her,” she said.
Olivia shared several photos on Instagram of the four-year-old Bengal cat she has owned since leaving home
The Gold Coast model said her Bengal cat was ‘taken’ on Saturday, April 27
“They deflect, refuse information and are terribly inconsistent with their story in every direct attempt to get answers.”
Olivia shared a text exchange between a person who said they dropped Haukie off at a pound in Coombabah on the day she went missing.
But when the model arrived at the pound, staff had no record of her being dropped off.
“Can you confirm what day she was dropped off and when?” Olivia asked the person via text message if she had the correct pound before asking for confirmation.
The person replied that it was the correct location, claiming his father had dropped the cat off and a lady working there said the staff would ‘scan for a chip to contact the owner’.
In a later post, the person claimed the cat never made it to the shelter and escaped from the car before his father dropped him off.
“I talked to my dad and he didn’t tell me but when he went to get the cat out of the car it escaped and he panicked and didn’t tell me,” the person wrote.
Olivia said she thinks she knows who stole her cat or who is involved in its disappearance
In her post, Olivia urged her followers and Queenslanders to keep an eye out for her beloved pet.
“Reshare this to get the word out while her disappearance is still fresh,” she implored in her caption.
She also said Queensland Police have been notified “but no action has been taken yet”, and now believes the cat has been sold and taken to Brisbane.
Last Wednesday, Olivia said she is offering a reward for “sufficient information” and for Haukie’s return.
Purebred Bengal cats cost more than $2,000 and are a popular breed known for their high intelligence, loyal personality and thick, spotted coat.
In the comments on her post, several notable influencers and television stars shared their sadness over the devastating news.
Olivia shared a text exchange between a person who said they dropped Haukie off at a pound in Coombabah on the day she went missing. But when the model arrived at the pound, staff had no record of her being dropped off
Haukie (left) and Oliva’s dog, Malibu (right), were very good companions
“I hope you get your baby back soon,” former Bachelor star Bella Varelis wrote.
“Omg this makes me so upset for you!!” ex-Married At First Sight star Ella Ding added.
‘This is over!! I’m so sorry you’re going through this, I hope she’s home soon,” another user commented.
Fitness influencer Ashy Bines also shared her own experience with her cat being stolen
“I’m so sorry you’re going through this. I will continue to share, my heart breaks for you,” she said.
‘Someone stole my cat years ago and I never got it back, so I know the feeling and it’s heartbreaking. I send you strength.”