A heartbroken cat owner is using dating apps like Grindr and Tinder to help track down her lost pet. Ruby went missing last weekend, leaving her owner Erin Johansen scouring the streets in search of her beloved animal.
Erin plastered the streets with posters in attempt to locate Ruby, however it left her no closer to finding the six-year-old feline. This is when a friend suggested she use his profile on dating app Grindr to help find the missing cat.
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Though she was at first unsure about the idea, the 22-year-old was surprised when users started reporting sightings of Ruby after seeing her photo pop up on the app in the vicinity of Brighton, East Sussex.
Erin, who works at a nursery and a juice bar, said: "We have been searching for Ruby since Saturday (March 18), but have had no luck.
"She's a nervous and cuddly cat; sweet all round and a bit of a goofball.
"At some point over the weekend, we were looking for her and my friend who already had an active Grindr account said, 'Let's put her on Grindr' - and it's actually been quite helpful."
However, the friend neglected to change the personal specifications for Ruby - so the profile described her as being 'single' with an 'average body build' and interests in 'karaoke, movies and reading', who was 'looking for dates'.
Her friend, who wishes to remain anonymous, changed his account to a photo of Ruby, with a note saying, 'A bit strange but our house cat has gone missing.
'If anyone has seen this cat please message me to let me know, it would be great help'.
Because the friend forgot to alter the other details of his profile, users also saw Ruby described as being 23 and white, with an 'average body build'.
Other details listed her as being 'chill, curious and goofy' and enjoying 'karaoke, movies, music and reading'.
The profile also said the cat was 'a bottom' who was 'looking for dates and relationships,' but despite this, around eight people have so far contacted her about Ruby - three of whom got in touch via Grindr to say they'd seen her cat.
Erin, who lives in the Elm Grove area of the city with husband Lorcan Johansen, 24, says the profile has so far been useful in the search for Ruby.
She added: "There's a huge LGBTQ+ community around Brighton and we were hoping to put the word out to as many people as possible.
"We didn't think to change the other bits of the profile, so it said she enjoys karaoke and stuff.
"I thought we would get messages making fun, but everyone took it really seriously and were just looking to help.
"We put posters up but a few have been ripped down and stuff, so it's been really nice to see the responses and everybody looking out for Ruby.
"I didn't think about it before, but I think the Grindr profile was actually quite a good idea.
Though Ruby is still yet to be found, she was so encouraged by the Grindr responses that another friend has now even set up a Tinder account for the missing cat.
The search for Ruby continues, though she hopes her cat's new dating profiles may help in seeing her returned home.
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