Cat case heads to tribunal

Joyce Quah (R) believes her adored chinchilla persian Chloe has ended up in the care of 18-year-old internet sensation Caitlin Davidson (L).

A public stoush over a purebred cat is heading to the Disputes Tribunal.

Auckland woman Joyce Quah believes her adored chinchilla persian Chloe has ended up in the care of 18-year-old internet sensation Caitlin Davidson, also of Auckland. Quah will ask the tribunal at a hearing scheduled for December that a DNA test be performed. She has also asked that if the cat is found to be Chloe, she be returned to her.

Quah told the Herald on Sunday this week she hoped the hearing could be brought forward.

"I've emphasised the urgency because it's a live animal. It's not a car or a monetary dispute, so I hope they'll let me know it can be earlier."

Davidson's father, Tom, said they had not been notified of the hearing. He would not comment further.

Quah said she had not heard from Davidson or her family. "I wish it wasn't a fight. I didn't want any big drama, it's just unfortunate it's got to here."

Joyce Quah with her cat Chloe.

Quah believes a cat Davidson identified to her 457,000 social media followers as a stray and later named Darling is Chloe. The $600 cat disappeared from Quah's Grey Lynn home at the beginning of the year.

After the cat's disappearance, Quah launched a desperate campaign - including on social media - to find her pet.