A heartbroken pet owner whose cat was put on Grindr in a bid to find the missing moggy has employed the help of another dating app.

Erin Johansen's black-and-white tuxedo cat Ruby went missing last weekend from the Elm Grove area of Brighton, leaving her and her friends scouring her local streets for any sign of the feline.

But, after posters the 22-year-old put up on lampposts left her no closer to locating six-year-old Ruby, a friend suggested she use his profile on gay dating app Grindr to help find her.

Though she was at first unsure about the idea, Erin was surprised when users started reporting sightings of Ruby after seeing her photo pop up on the app in the vicinity of Brighton.

However, the friend neglected to change the personal specifications for Ruby - so the profile described her as being “single” with an “average body build”, who had interests in “karaoke, movies and reading”.

The profile also said the cat was “a bottom” who was “looking for dates and relationships”.

Though Ruby is still yet to be found, Erin was so encouraged by the Grindr responses that another friend has now even set up a Tinder account for the missing cat.

The Argus: Erin with RubyErin with Ruby (Image: Erin Johansen)

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."

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.

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.

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“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”.

But Erin, who lives with husband Lorcan Johansen, 24, says the profile has so far been useful in the search for Ruby.

"There's a huge LGBTQ+ community around Brighton and we were hoping to put the word out to as many people as possible,” she said.

The Argus: RubyRuby (Image: Erin Johansen)

"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.

"Another friend has now put her up on a Tinder account as well."

If you see or find Ruby please contact Erin at erinscarlett11@icloud.com