The search for Steps, Tauranga Hospital’s much-loved cat, is over after Steps was found safe less than two days after he disappeared.

The 12-year-old tabby, affectionately known as the hospital cat, had sparked a community-wide search after he was last seen at 11pm on August 3.

Steps’ disappearance, along with his small shelter, prompted concern from thousands of people who knew the friendly feline.

The breakthrough came on this morning when a Gate Pā resident posted on the Lost and Found Pets Tauranga Facebook page asking if anyone recognised a cat.

The post described the visitor as “very friendly” and “very smart.”

She said the tabby and white cat had broken through her microchip cat door before making himself comfortable on her bed last night.

“Definitely a pet and currently trying to adopt me as its owner. My cat is not loving that idea.”

Little did she know she had been hosting one of Tauranga’s most recognisable cats.

Steps’ day-to-day caregiver, Karla Horn, spotted the post and said she had driven to the property, where she reunited with the wandering tabby.

The Facebook post quickly attracted more than 1600 reactions as news spread that Steps had been found, with hundreds of relieved commenters celebrating his safe return.

One comment said: “You just had the most famous cat in NZ turn up on your doorstep! So good!”

Another said: “Cat’s got no idea the whole nation’s out looking for him.”

Zoe Blake is a multimedia journalist at the Bay of Plenty Times and Rotorua Daily Post.