17-Year-Old Cat Finds Way Home After 13 Years Missing

A resilient 17-year-old cat has found its way home after being missing for 13 years. 

Boo, an elderly tabby cat, has delighted her owner by reappearing after she went missing from Harrogate, West Yorkshire, in 2005.

Janet Adamowicz realised Boo was missing when the cat was just four years old. The devastated woman did everything she could to find her feline friend, putting up posters and posting an advert in the newspaper.

Watch Janet tell her story:

The owner explained that it was unusual for Boo not to come home:

Boo was very lively as a young kitten and enjoyed the outdoors and adventuring – but would always return home.

After a long year of searching, Janet gave up hope, and filled the cat-shaped hole in her heart with two new additions to the family, Ollie and Tessie.

13 years later, the mum-of-two (children, not just cats) got a call from a vet surgery 40 miles away in Pocklington, East Yorks.

The caller told Janet they had a cat which belonged to her, which left her confused as both Ollie and Tessie were at home.

The cat-lover said:

I got a call on Thursday to say I had a cat missing.

I said ‘I don’t think I do, they’re both here’ – but they said we’ve looked on the system it says you own a cat called Boo.

I thought it was weird, but I couldn’t believe it when I got to the vets and they had her there – and she still remembered me.

Amazingly, Boo seemed to have lived a successful life as a street cat and ploughed on until she found her way back to Janet.

The 17-year-old cat was handed in to Wicstun Vets in York, and apart from being slightly dehydrated and weary, she was in good health.

A spokesperson from the vet explained what might have happened to Boo, and described the emotional scene when the old cat was reunited with its owner.

She said:

Somehow she has travelled over 40 miles from home – she might have done that last week or 13 years ago.

It’s not uncommon for cats to nap in vans, sadly waking up to find themselves many miles away from where they should be.

However, Boo recognised her mum straight away and within minutes the two were thoroughly enjoying plenty of face rubs, cuddles and meows.

Let us reassure you that there wasn’t a dry eye in the building.

All thanks to a microchip implanted 17 years ago and keeping details up to date.

The owner spoke about her surprise and suspicions surrounding the cat’s 13 years out in the wilderness.

She said:

I don’t know where she had been, I think possibly a stray but kept being fed by strangers – or catching her own food.

We don’t know how she got all those 40 miles, it could have been many number of reasons.

She has done well as a 17-year-old cat to last that long as a stray cat – it really is remarkable.

Boo could have been up to all sorts of adventures in her 13 years. I like to think she could have obtained a hat, boots and a tiny sword and given strangers the trademark Puss in Boots adorable pleading look so they’d give her food.

The tabby has been showing signs that she’s very pleased to be reunited with her owner, with Janet saying that the cat has been following her around ever since she got home.

Ollie and Tessie aren’t too sure about the new four-legged resident in their house, but as Boo was technically the first cat there, she’s earned her right to stay.

Janet expressed her hopes that the cat will remain close to home this time, saying:

Despite only being five years old she still remembers me and has been my shadow ever since coming home.

The other two cats are not impressed, but hopefully Boo is finally home for good.

What a purrfect ending to Boo’s story.

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