After ten years and 1,200 miles, Carol Holmes’ missing cat, Bob, has been found safe and sound in North Carolina.
Bob first went missing out of Wichita, Kansas, a decade ago. Named for Holmes’ late father, Bob often spent time outside, exploring the neighborhood with Holmes’ other cats. He carried on this routine for the months he lived with Holmes. Then, one day, he didn’t come home with the other two cats. The Wichita resident searched for the tuxedo cat, utilizing fliers. But, unfortunately, she couldn’t find the adventurous cat, even with no stone left unturned.
That is, until this August.
On August 19th, the date of Holmes’ father’s (and Bob’s namesake’s) birthday, she received a surprising email from 5 Points Vet Hospital in Fuquay-Varina, North Carolina. The veterinary clinic found Bob and was able to use the information on his microchip to trace him back to Carol Holmes.
As of right now, Holmes has organized a fundraiser to help raise the necessary funds to bring Bob home. These funds will also help cover the veterinary care he received. While Holmes continues to organize Bob’s transportation home, the clinic continues to care for him.
A week before the emails announcing Bob’s return to Carol Holmes’ life, a memory came up on her Facebook page. The memory from when Bob was still a young kitten living in Kansas showed him sleeping alongside Holmes’ dog. This, paired with the email coming on her father’s birthday, has led Holmes to believe that Bob’s return isn’t a coincidence but rather “a message heaven sent.”
How Often Are Missing Cats Found?
According to one study, at least 15 percent of cat owners will lose their pets in a five-year period. However, approximately 33 percent of these missing felines are found alive within the first week of going missing. Rarely do these cats tend to travel as far as Bob did, though!
Without intervention, the chance of a missing cat returning home is slim. Physical searches such as those Carol Holmes conducted can greatly increase the chance. However, identifying information, such as a collar and tag or microchip like Bob’s, can also be a highly effective means of finding a lost pet.
While you won’t be able to track your pet in real-time with a microchip, they can help contain your contact information in the event your pet’s collar or tag is lost. Then, when they appear at a vet, no matter the distance, they can scan the microchip and help your pet find their way back home.
The photo featured at the top of this post is © Nils Jacobi/Shutterstock.com
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