This is the happy ending story of a cat named Bobby. Missing for more than a year and 900 miles from home, Bobby has been reunited with his family in Great Falls, Montana after being turned over as a stray to Fallon Animal Control in Nevada. A microchip played a key role in getting Bobby home.
Owners Kyle and Carmen Preston had adopted Bobby only a year before he disappeared in June 2017. He was turned in 900 miles away in Nevada on September 25. A call was made to the Preston family after his microchip was scanned.
It took a lot of teamwork by Good Samaritan’s to carry out a surprise reunion. Delta Airlines employee Barb O’Malley from Bozeman heard about Bobby through a Great Falls Facebook group for missing pets.
In an interview with Great Falls Tribune, Barb stated
“Bobby’s story showed up in my feed and I thought ‘I’m on vacation, I’ll fly down and bring him back. It gives me a chance to see my mom Nora.”
The reunion almost didn’t take place after the family learned Bobby was so far from home. He’d need a health certificate to fly home and be current on vaccinations. Both were donated, along with a leash and collar by the Nevada Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals.
Kyle’s daughter, Erika Evans, said her parents never gave up hope. Kyle continued to put down Bobby’s special diet food and placing it outside on the chance Bobby returned home.
When the Preston’s told the shelter to go ahead and allow Bobby to be adopted, Erika consulted with her mom in her determination to get him back.
Kyle was in tears as Barb opened the carrier. He gave Bobby a full embrace and said his cat is never going outside again.
This happy ending story shows how important microchipping a pet is. Cats who have traveled hundreds and even thousands of miles have been reunited. It also shows that animal advocates can still work together and find a way to get a lost pet back home.
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No idea how he got to be 900 miles away, huh?