'I ran out and screamed his name': Cat parent reunites with missing pet after months of searching and sleepless nights thanks to one frantic meow in the middle of the night

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Blake Seidel • Managing Editor & Brand Manager
Jun 22, 2025 11:00 AM EDT

Before we started writing for I Can Has Cheezburger, one of our biggest fears was our cats getting out and never coming back. However, one thing we've learned from all of these reunion stories is that you should never give up hope. Your lost cat may be closer than you think, and no matter how long you've been separated, they will still remember you. Whether it's four months, or they've been missing for over six years, there is always the pawssibility that your pet will find their way back to you.

In the story below, the nanny accidentally let the cat out while retrieving a package. The pawrent searched frantically for four months. They tore apart their house to search every nook and cranny, they posted flyers, cried into the arms of strangers, and almost let their hope go. But then, they heard a meow in the middle of the night. They ran out, screaming his name, and there he was! There's a lot more to this beautiful reunion, so read the full story below!

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  • 01
    Cheezburger Image 10518317312
    via u/XenaSalvatore1262
  • 02
    Four months ago, my cat Barack disappeared and so did a part of my soul.
    via u/XenaSalvatore1262
  • 03
    He was five, full of grace and mischief, and the heart of my home. One day he was there, lounging in sunbeams, purring by my side. The next, he was gone. My one year old toddler's nanny had opened the door to collect a parcel and closed the door without realising that my curious baby had escaped through the gap.
    via u/XenaSalvatore1262

  • Accidents happen, but this is one of those accidents you hope never happens. It's a terrible feeling to lose a pet - the uncertainty, the loneliness, and the despair can be a lot to handle. But it's always best to stay pawsitive, and do what you can to find them. 

  • 04
    There wasn't a corner in my house that I didn't look for him. I searched endlessly.. the lanes, the alleys, calls, knocks on neighbors' doors, whispers into the night... but the silence only grew heavier.
    via u/XenaSalvatore1262
  • 05
    I put up posters, cried into strangers' sympathy, and clung to hope even when it felt like sand slipping through my fingers.
    via u/XenaSalvatore1262
  • 06
    Cheezburger Image 10518317824
    via u/XenaSalvatore1262
  • 07
    Days became weeks. My hope flickered, but it never fully d d. And then, yesterday, after 4 long empty months, I heard a sound....
    via u/XenaSalvatore1262
  • 08
    A frantic meow in the middle of the night. I rushed to open the door but the porch was empty. So I ran out and screamed his name without caring it was 2:00am at night.
    via u/XenaSalvatore1262
  • 09
    Finally my hazel eyes met two green ones. Hiding behind the bushes. Barack.
    via u/XenaSalvatore1262
  • 10
    He was thinner, yes but astonishingly clean, his fur soft and unmarred, his eyes bright. He didn't look like he had been struggling. Someone had cared for him, it seemed. But now he had come home.
    via u/XenaSalvatore1262

  • That's the great thing about cats - they're great at convincing people to love them. Barack probably went out and lived with another family for a few months, like a long vacation. The impurrtant thing is that he came back.

  • 11
    He meowed and meowed, wild and desperate, as if trying to explain everything at once, until his little voice gave out completely. I laughed and cried at the same time because he silently meowed for atleast a couple of hours!!
    via u/XenaSalvatore1262
  • 12
    He curled into my arms, still purring, his body trembling with relief. And so did mine. Barack had found his way back.
    via u/XenaSalvatore1262
  • 13
    And in that moment, everything felt whole again.
    via u/XenaSalvatore1262
  • 14
    SeaPrestigious4231 This is the best news!
    via u/SeaPrestigious4231
  • 15
    candyblingxo This made me so emotional! omg I'm so happy he came back to you. That's amazing
    via u/candyblingxo
  • 16
    lovemusicandcats So happy for you! Side note: are you a writer by any chance? You have such a way with the words ย
    via u/lovemusicandcats
  • 17
    SAINT-MARE When you said "the silence only grew heavier". I about lost it. I'm a 51 year old man and I have no shame about crying over cats. I'm thrilled to see you both united again
    via u/SAINT-MARE
  • 18
    Correct Leading 7000 Omg. Sooo happy for you! We had one that disappeared for 4 months also..I feared the coyotes got him..but then he just showed up one day! I think someone tried to keep him in their house, cuz he was plump and fed..not malnourished at all
    via u/Correct_Leading7000
  • 19
    patsfanxx What a beautiful story! So glad you got him back where he belongs.
    via u/patsfanxx
  • 20
    Balancedmindset I once lost my boy cat but only for a few days...I know your relief. So so happy for you and Barack!!
    via u/Balancedmindset
  • 21
    widgetface Love it so glad your baby is home
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  • 22
    Affectionate_Ear5522 i love happy endings like these. congrats on finding your baby
    via u/Affectionate_Ear5522
  • 23
    Icy_Elk7679 Best. News. Ever. Congratulations on getting your baby back
    via u/Icy_Elk7679
  • 24
    Liptonslce Finally I'm seeing a good news post. Happy for you and kitty
    via u/Liptonslce

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strange animal rescue feline cat rescue cat parents forever home Cats loving lost animals rescue
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