Cat 'Minke' missing during coronavirus a double blow for Richmond family

But for 13-year-old purebred puss Minke to go missing during the coronavirus pandemic, when many of us are relishing the companionship of our animals while we work from home, was a double whammy for the Richmond family.

And according to a leading Hawkesbury veterinarian, pets play an important role in helping us regulate our emotions during stressful times like the current global health crisis.

Mum-of-two Rebecca Woods said her cat Minke - a flame-point Himalayan Persian with ginger ears and nose, and a toe missing from one of her paws - sneaked out from the backyard on March 20 and disappeared.

The inside cat has no street smarts and Ms Woods is holding out hope that someone picked up Minke, and is also praying that - with the offer of a substantial reward on the table - Minke will be returned safely to her family.

"I put flyers all over Richmond, door knocked, contacted vets, she's listed as missing on the NSW Pet Register, I've advertised on Gumtree for the last three months, and nothing - she's just vanished into thin air," a distraught Ms Woods said.

Minke is a cherished companion for Ms Woods and her two sons, 24-year-old Chris and 12-year-old Damien.

"Damien had leukaemia and has been off chemotherapy for three years. Minke was his companion for the years he was on treatment and he is making a full recovery which is great," Ms Woods said.

"Our cats are our babies, they're so important, they're part of our family. They sleep under the blankets every night. I don't know what Minke would do with someone else - she needs her family. We've got heated blankets for them inside, they are our babies."

Dr Rob Zammit, head vet and owner of Vineyard Veterinary Hospital, said pets were important to us "very much so" during times of social isolation, and dog breeders he'd spoken to in the area had recorded "a bigger demand" for puppies during the coronavirus.

"We have known for a long time the importance of dogs as companions. It's virtually in our DNA, to want dogs, that's where we've evolved to over thousands of years," Dr Zammit said.

"The importance [of companion animals] for the elderly we've known for a long time, but now we're finding out it's not just the elderly; we turn to our pets for a lot of things, to listen to us, to give us unconditional love, and for the enjoyment of getting outside and going for a walk."

Ms Woods said the reward for her missing cat Minke would be provided "no questions asked" if Minke can be returned safely. Call her on 0400 566 606 with any information.