It’s always heartbreaking when a pet goes missing. But it’s important to never give up hope: sometimes pets return to us when we least expect them to, months or even years after they disappeared.
Recently, one family got a “miracle” after they reunited with their long-lost cat after five years apart.
Cindy and Jeff Hall adopted their pet Russian Blue cat Sam from an Arizona shelter when he was just a 12-week-old kitten.
But the couple was devastated when, after 7 years, Sam escaped from home. They searched everywhere, but there was no sign of Sam anywhere, and they began to fear their beloved pet was gone for good.
Cut to five years later. Two women found a cat at a gas station in Brinkley, Arkansas, and took him to a local animal hospital. There, they discovered a microchip, which revealed that the cat came from Arizona.
Pawsitively Cats No-Kill Shelter, a nonprofit based in Tucson, called the family to figure out the story. To their surprise, they discovered that the owners had been searching for this very cat for five years — it was Sam, alive and well after all this time.
The Halls were thrilled, and said it was a “miracle” that led their long-lost cat back to them. “It is a miracle that he walked up to these two women that were in rescue,” Cindy Hall told the outlet.
According to a Facebook post, Sam was temporarily boarded at the Jacksonville Animal Hospital in Little Rock while arrangements were made to transport Sam to his old family, who now reside in Nevada.
A volunteer transportation group called Alone 2 Home drove Sam to El Paso, Texas. Another rescuer named Sheryl then drove the cat to Tucson, and Sam’s family drove there to reunite with their long-lost cat.
“Sam was joyfully reunited with his family this morning!” Pawsitively Cats wrote on Facebook on April 13, writing that Sam was on his way to reunite with the rest of the family, and their other cats and dogs.
Five years is a long time in the life of a cat, and Sam is now 12 years old. Even so, the family says it’s like nothing has changed. “Having him home makes our family feel complete,” Cindy Hall told KARK.
“It’s such a beautiful story… This story just can’t underestimate the power of a microchip,” she said. “We are so grateful for everyone that was involved.”
What a miracle — we’re so glad that Sam has been found after all these years and reunited with his family!
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