Worried owners of cats who are currently missing may be able to put some of their worst fears to rest.

The cat was found on Blackthorn Road, Welwyn Garden City, with its head missing, on Wednesday, February 21.

Police are investigating but have not linked it definitively to other cat deaths that are thought to be the work of the “M25 cat killer”.

South Norwood Animal Rescue and Liberty (SNARL), the charity that has led much of the campaign following the mutilations, has been reluctant to release identifying information in case the publicity encourages more violence.

However, in order to calm many people’s fears, Welwyn Hatfield Cats Protection have confirmed that the cat who was decapitated was a black and white female.

There was no evidence of her being chipped, but this may be as a result of her injuries, as chips are inserted at the neck.

Glenn Currell, welfare officer for Welwyn Hatfield Cats Protection, said that anyone who has a missing cat fitting that description is welcome to email with a photo of their cat, so that he can compare its markings to the cat who was killed and confirm - or hopefully not confirm - her identity.

He also emphasised that missing cat worries could be much decreased with proper neutering and spaying practices.

“It complicates matters if owners are not neutering their cats,” he said, saying that un-neutered felines often go off for extended periods “on nature’s call.”

He added that Cats Protection will neuter or spay any cat free of charge living within the AL6 to AL10 postcode areas.

Worried owners of missing cats matching the description can email info@welwynhatfield.cats.org.uk