A ferret is back home and reunited with her owner after she was found straying - all thanks to her microchip.

Ferret Olga was found in a garden in Colliers Wood and taken into pet charity Blue Cross’s animal hospital in Merton.

Staff feared they would be unable to find Olga’s owners because although she was chipped, the microchip had not been registered with the database.

The team then contacted the vets to allocate the chip, and with the help of the chip company, the pair were reunited within hours.

Owner Juliano said: “I was really frightened when I realised she was missing.

Wimbledon Times:

"We all love her and my youngest son especially would have been really distressed if anything had happened to her.

“I can’t thank Blue Cross enough for their help to get her back home so quickly.

"Luckily she’s fine after her little adventure and has settled back in with her partner Fred without any problem.”

Elise Smith, deputy murse manager at Blue Cross in Merton, said: “Olga was a lovely friendly girl so it was clear she was well loved and we knew someone must be looking for her.

“We’re so happy we could reunite her with her owner and so quickly.

Wimbledon Times:

"It’s so important to make sure your pets are microchipped and to keep your contact details up to date to make it easier for you to be reunited with your pet should they go missing or sadly even stolen.”