Missing cat found 1,500 miles away, thanks to microchips

• A cat that ran away from home seven years ago was found 7 years after.
• She was found 1,500 miles away from home.
• It remains a mystery how the cat was able to reach that far.

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Denise Cilley’s precious cat ran away seven years ago, just as she was hosting her daughter’s 10th birthday celebration.

They looked for Ashes in all the places they could think of. However, living in a rural part of Maine meant they were surrounded by predators, and they dreaded the worse.

The Cilley family finally grieved after weeks of looking… until seven years later.

Over those seven years, Ashes had traveled 1,500 miles from her home in Maine to Longwood, Florida.

Denise recounted that she received a voicemail from a shelter in Florida saying that they found her cat. At first, Denise thought it was weird and that the shelter may have called the wrong number. However, the shelter called to tell her they found her cat. She told them she lives in Maine and that she’s not missing a cat.

Denise was surprised when she discovered that one of the locations listed on the microchip was the same shelter where she gets her kittens. It was then that she realized who the shelter found.

“And I said, ‘Is it a gray tabby?’ And they’re like, ‘Yeah, a female gray tabby,’” Denise recounted, “and I’m like, ‘Oh my goodness. It’s got to be Ashes. I haven’t seen her in six and a half years.’”

A local couple who had been caring for the poor cat for some time brought Ashes to the Florida shelter. She would show up at their house regularly, and they would always feed her.

However, when it appeared that her health was fast deteriorating, they took her to a vet where her microchip was checked — fortunately, it was up-to-date and they were able to contact Denise right away!

Denise wasn’t sure when or how they’d be able to bring their beloved cat home. It looked like it would take a long time because of her medical bills and the cost of getting her on a plane.

Janet Williams, a friend from Florida, was more than willing to assist them. She not only temporarily housed Ashes at her home, but she also set up a GoFundMe to help with the costs.

Soon, they’d raised just enough money to allow Ashes to return home!

“Microchips work miracles,” Denise said. “It’s safe. It doesn’t harm the cat, you know, there’s no GPS, it’s not tracking you or your pet. You know, it’s a really quick procedure and it makes reunification possible.”

Denise had no idea Ashes would make it to Florida, and she’s beginning to wonder whether she got on a moving truck. However, it looks that this will remain a mystery for a long time. 

“I have interrogated her [Ashes] quite strictly,” Janet said, “and she is not talking.”

Source: Inspire More