Reunion Stories 2024

Share Your #ReunionStory

You can help raise awareness about the importance of microchipping and keeping contact details up to date by sharing your story. 

You will also have the chance to win the 'Reunion Story of the year' prize.

Note: Winner will be announced January 2025.

Reunion Story of the Year 2024   |   Grand Prize

Grand Prize: Pet Masterpiece, 1-Month CARMA Rewards Club Membership, Lifetime V.I.Pet (Unlimited), SMART Tag  & RSOTY Trophy

Reunion Stories From C.A.R. Pet Owners (2024)

Never Give Up... You Have To Have Hope

It was on June 3rd that I fed Vladimir and his sister, Missy, before I headed out to work, as was the usual routine. Vladimir wasn't home that night and I had a holiday planned Saturday to Darwin. I made makeshift flyers and left them in the mail boxes of houses I knew he sometimes visited.

But alas no one had seen him. I left for Darwin with a hole in my heart, he still was not home when I returned. I posted his details on every lost pet site, on social media and I made big posters which were always ripped down, much to my horror.

I would walk each street between Military Rd and Westlakes Blvd. A year went by and still no signs. Plenty of people claim to have seen him, and I followed every message I was left. My daughter was certain that none of the kittiy pictures we were sent was our man.

My daughter said after a year, "he's not coming home Mum, and he probably isn't alive anymore." To which I would always reply, he is alive,he just can't get home to us. He will when he can.

Another year later and I had 2 missed calls from an animal companion number, which I assumed was for donations. The next afternoon, I googled the service and couldn't believe it when it was Roseworthy Vet Clinic. My heart started racing for I knew straight away that they had Vladimir. I called immediately and was told he was in good condition and was very, very affectionate. He had been found distressed in a carpark in Freeling, past Gawler and a very kind woman took him into the nearest vet.

Freeling is a total of 65km from my home; and I had never even heard of the place. I told my daughter who thought I was mistaken. I was so excited we drove out to Roseworthy immediately. The lovely staff at Roseworthy Vet, welcomed us and allowed us to reunite with him. I had tears in my eyes; It was our Vladimir. He had an opportunity, took it and came home to us. After 2 years of what?; we don't know. But here he was, larger than life and purring so strong, it was like a generator.

He returned to the usual routine at home with no issues whatsoever. Every day I tell him how precious he is and how grateful I am that he came home to us.

The microchip certainly made identifying us and him so much easier. I can't imagine losing another animal, it is one of the most stressful and sad events to experience. I never lost hope, this is very important, you CAN'T give up! MICROCHIP your pets so you will have a better chance of finding them, JUST LIKE US!

- Donna

RSNOV824.png__PID:ae869ff8-478c-46c7-b880-c82a660795a2

Missing For 16 Hours

My black cat, Novella, typically comes when called, and is almost never out of sight (although sometimes that's just because I assume any black object in a dark room is her). So when she went missing for 16 hours, not answering to her name, I assumed the worse. I checked every lost and found, scoured the neighbourhood, and had 'missing' posts drafted. She's a beautiful cat, chances are she went for a wander and someone took her. If anyone has ever lost an animal, you know you start getting desperate and check the most random places (as if they are going to just pop out of a cupboard?).

So in the 16th hour, I opened the cupboards underneath the snake enclosure, of all places, and there is Novella. She'd wandered in without us noticing and proceeded to not make a single sound once locked up. She came out purring and half-awake. I, on the other hand, will need my own 16 hour sleep after this.

- Telisa

RS24OCT30.png__PID:cb012b06-7acb-456a-aa62-149ca89d5c03

Ginger Ninja

Cheeky Lincoln escaped from our garage one day.We were beside ourselves, we put flyers up, called all local vet clinics, reported him on many lost and found pet sites.He had been missing for 3 weeks until we got a call from a local vet clinic advising us that Lincoln was there. Found due to his microchip!He had been spending time with an elderly lady who took a shine to him as her cat had recently passed away.We are very happy to have his cheeky face home!

- C.A.R. Pet Owner

RS24OCT24.png__PID:bea5032c-90ee-4ba2-b4c2-d2aae8910a17

The Longest 28 Hours

Simba went missing for a heart-wrenching 28 hours. As a street-smart kitty, he always returns home for dinner and a cozy nap every afternoon without fail. But on this particularly cold day, the weather turned even more severe, transforming into a windy, rainy ordeal. I couldn’t shake the dreadful feeling that he might have accidentally gotten locked in someone’s shed or garage, but the fear of something worse happening loomed large in my mind.

Naturally, this alarmed us terribly. Thankfully, he finally showed up the following evening—slightly wet, shivering from the cold, and decidedly hungry. The relief that washed over me was overwhelming. Since his return, Simba has been more cautious, rarely wandering off too far or too often.

This experience taught me that while our instincts can guide us, it’s crucial not to let our fears spiral out of control. I received invaluable tips and support from our wonderful community and neighbors during that anxious time. My takeaway from this ordeal is to never give up hope and to always reach out for help in tricky and frightening situations. I share my story in the hope that it may help someone else, as I would never wish this nightmare upon any pet owner.

- Suzanne

RSSEP1724A.png__PID:39db0a26-2368-49d4-9818-637cc5e048e8

Tuxedo's Grand Adventure

When I arrived home from work at roughly 4.00pm my housemate said tuxedo had decided to go for a grand adventure, I thought she was kidding. Turns out she hadn't seen him since 3.30pm, after hours rolled by I decided to go for a walk around the street looking for him, asking the neighbours, shaking his food but unfortunately he was no where to be found. I was starting to get worried as he hadn’t been outside before due to being an indoor cat for 8 years.

About 10.30pm I decided to go back outside with a torch to look for him but yet again came back empty handed, I was told to leave some dirty clothes, food and a door open for him as he can scent his way back home.

It was about 12.00am when my house mate said she could hear his cat litter tray been moved, so we both got up and low and behold he had come home absolutely drenched from the rain to use his cat litter. I really have no idea where he went or what he did while he was away but I am absolutely ecstatic he managed to find his way back home on his own since we have only lived in this house for 2 weeks.

- Ashleigh

RSSEP1224B.png__PID:3780c784-161c-40ee-91d3-29b111d5f004

The Adventures of Gidget

As most of the world hunkered down when COVID began, here in Melbourne we headed into lockdown. We learnt to socially distance to stay safe. Our girl Gidget still headed outside for a daily stroll and was as friendly as ever to the many that would take a walk within their 5km radius past our house. One day Gidget didn't come home.

We searched, and called out for her. We posted on social media, and hung posters in our neighbourhood. As the days passed we became distraught, where was our girl? We reported her missing and kept looking. Weeks, then months went by. Then seasons changed. A year came around and still no trace.

As we approached two years our beautiful girl was still missing. Hope was fading, but she never left my thoughts or heart. One day in March, days before we reached 2 years, my phone rang, not a number I knew. I answered. The caller advised he was a Ranger and asked if he was talking Claudia. Yes, I said. He then said "Claudia, I have Gidget". I could not believe it! Our beautiful girl had been found 25kms from home! I raced to the RSPCA in Burwood.

When I arrived, the team sat me down to say Gidget might be scared, and may not remember me, I understood. Then one of the team went to get her. She was brought to me, with big frightened eyes and my heart sank, what if they were right - what if she didn’t remember me?

I spoke to her quietly, and she looked around, but still seemed scared. Then it was time to go home, and one of the team helped me take Gidget to the car. In her carrier we set her on the passenger seat. I bid the team farewell and got in the car. I turned to my beautiful girl and said “well Miss Gidget, it’s time to go home” she looked up and started to purr and she didn’t stop for the whole ride home. When we got home I wondered whether she would remember the dogs - would they remember her?!

We came inside and I opened her carrier. After a couple of minutes Gidget trotted down the hall, then ran straight to our dogs who were elated to see her. They played and rolled around like they always had. All I could do was stand there with tears of joy rolling down my face.

Our girl was home! I am grateful every day that she is home. If you are missing a pet, never give up, and make sure you register that they are missing so you can be reunited one day.

- Claudia

RSSEP1224A.png__PID:5c59c1f1-259f-4598-95bf-f5dfa349e4f8

Rory Returns

I had recently moved house and was slowly introducing my sibling cats Rory & Puss to their new environment. Both the boys are 10 years old and been with me since we rescued at 3 months of age, they were part of a litter living under an abandoned house near my partners workplace.

Rory was always a skittish, shy, nervous cat but he and I had a special bond. They seemed to be adjusting well, but Rory disappeared about 6 weeks after the move. He had gone into the back yard and just never came back inside. We assumed he got spooked and was probably heading back to the previous house. We did all the posters, online notifications and searching you usually do, we contacted our old neighbours as well, but after 6 months and many visits to our old home we gave up hope.

His poor brother Puss had fallen into a depression, he really missed Rory desperately. Eventually we adopted another cat, Ripley was 7 and he needed to be rehomed due to him being bullied relentlessly in his previous household. Ripley and Puss hit it off and became fast friends, snuggling together and Puss stopped being so down and out and Ripley blossomed.

You could have knocked me down when a random phone call came 15 MONTHS later asking if I had a lost cat. She used a portable microchip scanner to check him for details and up popped his microchip number. Suzie had connections in animal rescue and within a day we had the phone call.

Rory was dirty, gritty, covered in fleas, had worms and stunk of infection. His collar had become stuck under one front legs and left a nasty 'collar injury'.

The collar had fallen off many moths previously but had left a vicious infected wound. He was rushed to the local vet and was checked over and given antibiotics and a good clean. I wish I had a picture of Rory’s face when he got home and saw the replacement cat Ripley! Rory was utterly shocked and scandalised.

Ripley was surprised too to meet Rory and Puss acknowledged his brothers return as if Rory had only been gone a week. After lots of vet visits his collar wound is slowly healing, he is clean, parasite free and his fur is soft again.

Despite his adventures he was generally in very decent condition. He is thrilled to be back with us, he sleeps all day and only ventures out in the morning for a short stroll. His personality has changed a little too.

Honestly, we joke he came back home with a better personality or maybe it’s his outlook that has changed. He is less nervous and less highly strung. He is even more affectionate than he was before and at night will not leave my side. Previously he would sleep at the foot of the bed but now he sleeps on top of my stomach or back just to make sure he is really home and safe again. He begs constantly for affection (which he gets) and had become addicted to his electric throw blanket. Rory is even accepting his new brother cat Ripley and graciously allows him to share the blanket.

- Marianne

RSSEP1124A.png__PID:9b1e5478-4ac9-4ea3-be69-e9f63240bd4f

A Long Journey

Frankie got out one day and disappeared. She had done it once before and the neighbour found her in the car, having driven to Woolworths and back with Frankie lounging in the sun in the backseat, only for the neighbour to realise she was there on the way home. This time we went and asked the neighbour, all the neighbours, we put up fliers everywhere, we used a drone to try and scan the places we couldn't see, we walked the streets days and nights. After 5 nights, I was so exhausted. All the neighbours were asking about her. No one in the household had slept.

One mistake I made is that I hadn't registered her with the council, but luckily we had the microchip number and called the council and everywhere around. I put her photograph on Petfinders.com who alerts vets in the area. That day, I received a phone call from a vet 10km away. They had found Frankie, they texted a photo and I was already in a taxi on my way. It was her!! She seemed completely relaxed and who knows what she got up to but she certainly didn't seem as stressed as us all. I'm so glad she had the microchip, and so thankful to that lovely vet and the person who picked her up and handed her into the vet. May all the lost cats return to their loving homes godspeed.

- Jennifer

RS_FRANCESCA.png__PID:896cbf96-8312-40fb-b467-59caf5bcee28

The Tales Of Wondering Arlo

It was 9:30 in the morning when I had noticed Arlo missing, His 2 sisters (Wynta fur sibling and Sadie hooman sibling) and I went on the hunt to find Arlo. His favourite thing to do is play ball in the park so we thought we'd start there, was he there? no!

Fast forward to 12pm I was back home and I thought hmm I wonder if I squeek his ball he will hear it. AND IT WORKED! He came bolting around the corner, down our street straight into mummy's arms. He heard the call from home and knew exactly where home was. He forgot the road to home but he will never forget the sound of his ball

- Talisha

RS_ARLO.png__PID:4d295df8-e6b8-41e0-a5d5-ba113f812a8a

Reunion

My lovely Ragdoll escaped out the front door and was missing for 3 nights. I followed the advice of our vet who said that cats rarely stray further than 5 houses away and to go out late at night with food. So about 9:30pm sure enough after calling and rattling his food tin I found him up on a roof 4 doors down cold and hungry. After borrowing a neighbour's ladder I got him down safe and sound.

The neighbourhood WhatsApp group was so helpful in sending out alerts and the local neighbourhood community was so helpful and supportive. I now really know my neighbours. Don't lose hope!

- Fiona

RS_TAMBO.png__PID:c588b572-4117-4e57-8ba8-f6bbbb6220ba

Jezper Was Picked Up By The Ranger

Jezper managed to get out and was missing for 3 days. Lucky for us he was taken in by some kind people and they called the Ranger. I received a call from the Lost Dogs Home that they had him. Having him Microchipped was a blessing as we got him back straight away.

- C.A.R. Pet Owner

RS_JEZPER.png__PID:c69d3dcb-f4c6-4c50-b692-191e08376188

Awesome News

Our beautiful Allira went missing over three weeks ago, this morning she came through the cat door very thin, frightened and hungry. We will take her to the vet tomorrow because she is so thin. We can't express how beyond relieved we are.

- Ch'kara

RSJUN112024.png__PID:71f2271e-d292-4e6a-9e0a-41ed661ed2d9

5 Months & Reunited

Luna went missing on 27 January 2024.

Luna was an indoor cat who had never been outside, having full access to a cat run to keep her and her sister safe. Unfortunately, a door was left open and she managed to escape.

We posted on local facebook pages, door knocked the local homes and contacted various shelters, vets and pounds but there was no luck in finding her.

Luna was a very skittish cat and would rarely approach anyone she did not know, so hope diminished very quickly that she would survive on her own.

On Tuesday 4th June, after 5 months missing, I received a call from PetStock advising that they had found Luna after a local lady asked for assistance in setting up a cat trap! Battered and emancipated, but otherwise ok, Luna had been found in an industrial estate about 5km from home.

She is now home, bathed, eating like a champion and getting all the love and cuddles she wants!

- April

RSJUN0624.png__PID:c907d0d2-bd19-4423-ba2e-bb58dc434ce8

Quickly Reunited

My elderly dog took flight and leaped out of a friend's car while I was nearby in an appointment. He bolted across the road and kept running, putting on, she said, an amazing show of speed for an elderly dog. And although she and others chased him, he kept running away.

I only found out when I came out. It was mid afternoon. He's mostly deaf, doesn't see very well, and had disappeared an hour so drive away from where we live. I knew it was no use calling out as he wouldn't hear, and as I'd just had eye drops, I couldn't see much either! It was an awful night.

But a lovely Council Officer rang me from the local Council next morning to say he had been reported 'at large' and he himself had managed to catch him eventually. In the meantime, he had crossed at least one major highway of 4 lanes in both directions and was picked up very close to the house we used to live in, but hadn't been near in over 2 years.

Thank heavens for microchips, dog rego and Councils, the lovely animal control officer and the person who reported him. I spent a miserable night worrying but he was safely housed in a comfortable bed. He is an ex stray I adopted about 9 years ago and beyond price to me. So glad to have him back and so quickly.

- Jane

RSMAY20A.png__PID:3d4de397-80c2-438d-87be-58c2ce7b906d

Easter Miracle: Found After 10 Years ❤️

My brother, Theo, suffered a stroke in 2012 and after 18 months of rehab, he was wheelchair bound. He was recommended a Therapy Dog and that was when he met Princess. Almost 2 years later in November 2014, my brother had another seizure and went to hospital. When he returned, Princess was missing and Theo was devastated. He searched for 8 months, posting everywhere, printing posters, calling pounds. Nothing. Princess was micro-chipped to Theo, but also our mum as a 2nd contact.

Theo spoke about Princess often and missed her every day. In 2018, our mother passed away and her phone, including the phone number, was given to her grandson, Alex. Theo was Alex's godfather and uncle, and sadly in 9/23, Theo passed away.

On 3/5/24, a day before Greek Easter and Alex's birthday, we were sad that this is the first Easter & birthday without Theo, who would spoil everyone, especially Alex. Nan would be missed too. That day, we received a call on Alex's number (nans old number) from a vet claiming they had a dog called Princess. We thought it was a phone scam as my son often got strange calls or texts, but it was real.

Within the hour, we were at the vet in tears to bring home a part of Theo & Nan for a special day tomorrow. We confirmed it was Princess & she had been missing for 10 years!

The vet told us a client of theirs, Lauren, brought in Princess. Lauren was the name of Theo’s favourite support worker… and we wondered. We contacted Lauren the following day (4/5/24), the lovely lady who told us she works with people with disabilities for dog therapy, but not the Lauren who was Theo’s support worker – just another coincidence.

Lauren explained that she was walking out of the hair salon and saw Princess, who was clearly dishevelled and lost, and so she took her in to her regular vet. We thanked Lauren profusely for bringing home a part of Theo and Nan for Easter and Alex's birthday, which in another miracle, Lauren also shared the same birthday day as Alex being the 4th of May.

May the fourth be with you - because it was certainly with us! Princess was not very well cared for or ever taken to the vet in 10 years. She’s on the mend every day and at 12 years old she is feisty, adorable and in a loving home for her twighlight years. We have another 3 year old Staffordshire Terrier who princess thinks she’s the boss of – which she is! We are forever grateful to the team at VetCall and Lauren for bringing a part of our family home. It will be the story of a miraculous family reunion that we will never forget and share with friends and family on special days for years to come.

- Rena

RSMAY20B.png__PID:9489ce93-8b82-47e9-a259-d0a34c8557a2

Where's Molly?

Molly went missing when we were on a weekend holiday in Merimbula. We live in Canberra. Molly got scared and somehow pushed the gate open where we were staying. Molly was missing for 8 days and had made her way up and down the sapphire coast, spotted a few times by locals near Tura beach and Bournda national park. 2-3 days would pass with no word.

All the locals and some friends of mine, armed with chickens and treats, drove up and down the highway, searched paddocks and the beach, camped out under the stars and set up scent trails, all to no avail. After a week of intense searching I decided to go home to Canberra and put my faith in the Bega Valley community to let me know if Molly would show up. I wasn't feeling very hopeful.

Low and behold, I was gone 12 hours and woke up to a call from a beautiful lady at Tura beach who told me she woke to find Molly at her back door. Molly was tired and exhausted, full of grass seeds and ticks, unable to walk much anymore.

I immediately called friends in Merimbula who went to her aid asap and took her to the beautiful Merimbula Vets where I met her shortly after and she just wagged her tail and gave me kisses. She had the biggest smile on her face to have found her mumma. The vets cleaned her up and send her home to me. During this time I have had old microchip details for Molly as she was registered under my ex-partner's name and it was something I never sorted out. It was stressful not knowing if someone would find her, would I actually ever find out as they might not have call me. I am currently in the process of updating her details so to prevent the stress of never knowing should something like this happen again.

Molly is now home , warm in her bed in Canberra where she belongs and very happy recovering . I’m so grateful to the people of Bega valley and surrounds for all their support

- Laura

RS13MAY24A.png__PID:371e847f-8f22-4452-b7f5-7fee6571708c

36 Hours

After 36 hours he’s home!! My theory is that he wandered too far on Saturday and lost his way. Last night I walked around the neighborhood and dropped kibble around. Possible he followed my scent and his trail of food home?

- C.A.R. Pet Owner

RS13MAY24B.png__PID:847f8f22-a452-47f5-bfee-6571708c994d

Reunited After 3 Months

We had just moved in to a new house and on day 3 Pixie escaped. We tried everything to find her and just 1 week shy of being missing for 3 months I received a phone call from the cat protection society informing me that she had been handed in and is waiting to go home. If it wasn't for being microchipped I would have never found her.

- Nicole

RS30APR24B.png__PID:8f05ced4-cb96-40b4-b5f0-8934b3a0cab0

Chippie Came Home

Hubby and I fell asleep, after we have woken up I realised the front door was slightly open opened. My daughter just shut close the door but she didn't lock the door on her way out to school in the morning. Therefore the wind must have blown it open.

Our hearts just sunk.We both walked around our neighbourhood calling out for Chippie. There was no sign of him anywhere. I just prayed if anyone has taken him please let him be in a warm loving home. What matters most is that he’s safe and not alone out there. Chippie is just 5 months old. Gabriel my son came back from school and my Hubby had to break the sad news to him. He cried and said he will wait till Chippie comes back home.

I told him If nobody has taken Chippie then he might come back. So both of us, we prayed to God for Chippie to come back home safely. Then my daughter said to my hubby, Chippie is outside Daddy! My hubby went outside brought him into our bedroom. I was so happy that I cried. I was worried sick but I tried to stay strong. Gabriel was so happy as well. Thank you God, Chippie is home. I certainly hope that no one has to go through this ordeal because it’s such a dreadful experience. Thank you Chippie for finding your way back to us, We love you so very much, buddy!

- Aya

RS30APR24A.png__PID:7c608f05-ced4-4b96-90b4-75f08934b3a0

Where have you been?

Our beloved Emrys was a rescue from Coldstream Animal Aid. We have been his family for almost 12 years. He has lost fur siblings due to illness and misfortune and last week saw us adding a new puppy to the family.

He seemed a little put out unlike our old ther cat and started to show signs of stress. Four days ago he dissapeared. Nowhere to be seen. By Monday morning I was frantic. Did the posters, the vets and a person suggested go for a walk and calling him between 3am-5am. Well it worked. I heard him four houses behind us. He had gotten lost I think and reacted to my call. But wouldn't come. I sobbed all the way home and within five minutes heard him way up the back of our yard. He was trapped behind a rose creeper. In the pouring rain and dark I went in and was able to get him out. Water logged big Norwegian forest boy was in my arms again and purred loudly when I got him inside and to his good.

So grateful. So lucky. I urge people to do the middle of the night walk to find your lost one. I've been a cat lover for 45 years and this was the first time I had used this method and I've seen the success for myself. 🙏

- CAR Pet Owner

RSAPR924B.png__PID:d4347279-0eb2-465d-9750-d3f593a765c9

Tough Old Girl

Cat was a stray, when she first decided to tolerate us. She just turned up one day at the farm, so we fed her. Over a few weeks, we noticed that she was getting fatter and fatter and that her fat tummy was moving! Of course she was pregnant. The children were delighted. One October day, Cat started to deliver and the children and I started to panic. We rang our vet in town, who so generously gave us their time and guided us through the process of being there whilst Cat delivered her 4 kittens. They were delightful and so was Cat.

A few months later, we took the tribe in to be vaccinated, microchipped and neutered. Move forward a few years. The tribe and the kids and I moved from the farm into town. All was going well, until Cat got itchy feet again. She ran away and was not seen again. We looked for her but to no avail. We still had the kittens who enjoyed being a part of our family and so stayed. Move forward 11 years. I was at work and received a message on my phone from an unfamiliar vet stating that they had my cat with them and that she was in pretty poor shape. I immediately worried that I had accidentally left a door open and that one of the now adult kittens had run away. They were all in their room that morning when I tended their litter trays and food and water and they looked healthy and strong. I was terribly worried. I couldn't wait for my shift to be over so that I could go and get the runaway back home. Can you imagine my surprise when I got into the consulting room and the cat cage was opened and there was Cat staring at me with big eyes in a very thin 2.5kg body. I don't know if she immediately recognised me, but she didn't pull away from my touch. She was so thin and her collar had destroyed all the fur on her neck. The Vets were marvellous. They gave her all the treatment that she needed and all the advice that I needed, too.

I took her home and set her up in the warmest place in the house. She was so hungry. We gave her a bath and let her rest. Slowly, she put on weight and has been reintroduced to the tribe. She is happy and I am pretty sure that her traveling days are over, as she is still with us today, 12 months down the track. If it wasn't for her microchip, I am confident that we would never been reunited with Cat.

- CAR Pet Owner

RSAPR924.png__PID:caf91d96-beae-4a7f-9f92-d01d9d31d39a

My Beautiful Boy Was Stolen In 2016

erra always came home every night but in August 2016 he didn't. I was sure he had been stolen and hoped with all my heart that he would come home. So in 2017, 2018 and 2019 I renewed his registration with the Council. Everyone thought I was living in an unreal hope. I didn'taccept that he was never coming home until 2020, when I stopped renewing his registration. HOWEVER, in September 2020, I had a call from a Vet that he had been turned in by a lady who found him and wanted to keep him. His microchip revealed that I was the owner and, after 4 years and one month, my beautiful boy wa returned to me. It was a miracle. I urge everyone to have their cat microchipped. The lady who contacted the Vet was so amazing - I cannot thank her enough for returning my boy to me - and the Vet made the effort of contacting me to collect Terra.

- CAR Pet Owner

RSOTYMAR13.png__PID:511c8221-15d7-4de6-b8ea-6f5f2157d867

The Feel-Good Story Of A Lifetime!

Lost and alone on the streets, she wandered, unnoticed by many. But thanks to a caring lady and the power of an up to date microchip, Tiffy's incredible journey led her back to where she belongs, home 🏠🐱A resident in my Clyde estate posted on Facebook about a cat who had been frequenting her house. Being the animal lover I am, I suggested she allow the cat into her garage where I could safely collect her and take her to the vet where I work for a microchip scan. This is where the story gets interesting.... Upon arrival to work, I grabbed the microchip scanner and "beep!" - a chip was found. I searched up the details on CAR online and alarm bells rang when I noticed the home address was registered to Ferntree Gully. Could this cat have wandered this far? Could the owners have moved house and not have updated their details? Would the phone number work!? So many questions ran through my head before I made the life changing call.... "Hi this is Bec from Berwick Clyde Vet, I'm just ringing as Tiffy has been handed into our clinic" .... The voice on the other end of the line sounded very surprised "Tiffy?" .... "Yes" .... "Tiffy?" ... "Yes?"... "Tiffy went missing in 2015!".

Turns out Tiffy's family had recently moved into the greatly expanding Clyde area when she accidently got out and got lost! They searched for her but as the days turned to weeks, the weeks turned to months, the months turned to years, life kept going on and heartbreakingly, Tiffy's family thought she was long gone.Who would have believed that 9 years later they'd be getting one very special phone call!

That phone call was only possible due to Tiffy's microchip. Without it, she was just another stray on the streets about to go through the system.Tiffy's mum raced to the clinic to see her. She was in absolute shock! How could this be Tiffy!? After all these years- Tiffy had been found! After a big trip to the pet shop and being given the all clear after her veterinary health check, Tiffy went home!!She is now looking forward to living out her senior days lounging on the couch and being doted on for the rest of her days.

- Rebecca

RSMAR42024.png__PID:da53be3d-692c-4b7d-adca-d1504cd2f832

Winnie’s Home

Winnie is an inside cat that cheekily snuck out between my legs and went missing for 6 days. She came home by herself like nothing had happened and then meowed to go outside again after eating. Fat chance Winnie! I am so happy to have her home.

- CAR Pet Owner

RSFEB162024.png__PID:1969f74d-cb91-43a0-bc5e-c32795a61787

My Precious Boy, London

My beautiful BSH London who is 16 months old went missing from our home on the 21st Dec 2023 a few days before Christmas. We were absolutely devastated especially my 10 year old autistic son, Ryder.

London would sleep on Ryders bed every night. We searched for 6 long weeks, doing all the recommended suggestions such as the 5am walks with a torch and tapping his bowl of food to no avail. We searched the entire street and surrounding streets, put up flyers, joined Facebook lost pet and community sites with no luck. I was beginning to lose hope and started to think he must of been stolen as he snuck out the door on that morning of 21st Dec.

He had snuck out before but never wandered from the front garden. It had taken me 4 years to save up to buy London so he was a much wanted and loved pet. None of us could even get through Christmas without him. As my heart was broken, my eldest son brought me another BSH kitten named Arthur to help fill the missing piece of my heart. 3 weeks later we adopted Arthur's brother Merlin to join the family.

Then 6 weeks later I received a message from another community site saying someone kept seeing a Blue BSH cat in their yard at dinner time every night since late Dec. There was a picture attached and I just knew it was my boy. I contacted the lady and went straight from work that day. As soon as I entered her back yard and called out for him, he came running out from under the shed crying and crying. I was also crying but happy tears as I finally had my big boy back.

Off to the vet for a quick check up and microchip scan, he was healthy and chubby but also extremely tired. London was happy to be home but a little shocked to find 2 new kittens there. It has taken a few weeks but they are all getting along well playing and doing zoomies around the house. London was found 3 suburbs away near my sons work. He must of hitched a ride to work as I don't know how he ended up so far from home. Now I'm currently saving to build a cat enclosure for my 3 babies as I cannot let them out and go through that trauma again. Never give up hope as miracles do happen!!!

- Kylie

RS13022024.png__PID:9c7e9842-2d68-4f55-859d-9fa7a027b407

10 Years & Back Home

Tommy was stolen in January 2014. We were devastated. We knew who stole him but couldn't take action other than knocking on the door. To make sure, I visited the RSPCA Burwood and Pearcdale and the Lost dogs home, almost weekly, over 6 months.

We put up reward signs all around the neighborhood. I emailed over 50 local vets & catteries with photos and asked them to check all new animals (not just mine) coming in to their practice for microchips. My daughter started a Facebook page - "Always Microchip your animals" We saw, and have a photo, of him in a back yard across the road. We set traps twice daily but couldn't catch him. We asked the police, and they said they could only knock on the door and perhaps we should make peace with him being looked after - if they question the people, they may hurt Tommy. So, we had to let it go but never give up hope. After 3 years, my heart healed a little and I finally adopted another 2 kittens.

Come January, 2024, the RSPCA Burwood rang to say they had Tommy and did I want to reclaim him...of course, I did! His photo has never been off my phone or computer montiors. Tommy is now safely home. He always had nasal dermatitis but obviously the last person to have him (apparently inherited him 2 years ago) had not looked after him. His nose was swollen x 6 times it's size. He is now nearly recovered and getting used to us again, purrs a lot and seems very settled. I'm sure there are times he remembers us - we have never forgotten him. There have been a lot of happy tears and some emotional exhaustion lol. Tommy is 14 now and he does have to be with my son as one of my cats is not well and this is ongoing. It breaks my heart that he is not here (I do see him every second day) but he is with family and he will have the most caring, loving home for as long as we are blessed with him.

- Teresa

579231_10150783269474512_1311580413_RS.png__PID:6a2f718f-0835-4172-b5a4-aa67ac00c05d

Escaped

Benson who is an inside only Bengal (show cat). Jumped out a window that is normally closed. He went missing around 10pm last night.I posted on a local Facebook group for lost pets in my neighborhood. Marked his chip as missing, phoned local vets and walked the streets.Around 5pm today I received a txt from a lovely young lady that said the magic words - I have your cat!So grateful to have a happy outcome for my Benson.

- Jo-Ann

323362627_1197578071197255_4212529636872073279_RS.png__PID:595f4817-b6fe-46d8-a3fc-ce322a80a0cc

Look Up

Misty went missing on Wednesday, she is usually an indoor cat just going out in the garden with me and her fur sister and dogs, but is obviously getting more adventurous.

I posted on our local FB page and then was directed to other pages where I posted. The the level of support and advice was amazing. Logged on to CAR and advised she was missing.

Did the usual ring around to Vets and shelters, flyers and neighbour knocks.So how we were reunited? After 3 nights of doing the 3-4am walk, calling her name did the trick. I finally decided to extend the search to the other side of the street of our adjacent properties even though I didn't think she would cross a road. I also noticed my other cat in a yard behind our house which was odd like he followed me, then through the silence came the howling and it did not stop. It took awhile to realise she was on the roof as the howling just seemed to be echoing, so it pays to look up! Owners were obviously away because they would have heard her crying.

With encouragement I finally got her to a low part of the roof, unbelievably like a miracle there was a a ladder against the fence and with a burst of motherly adrenaline, up I went grabbed her by the scruff and got her down and bought her home.

- Shannon

MistyRS.png__PID:f5f52383-ce96-4f09-be68-8f14d9140a03

Roger Rue

Managed to find our beloved dog Roger through FB for Victorian lost dogs and by updating his microship number. Yay for microchips!

- C.A.R. Pet Owner

RSOTYJAN824.png__PID:6c98426c-18c5-443b-aa01-b4d3151828f1