Woman reunites with cat after 10 years thanks to microchip, decides not to contact former owners after finding feline in poor condition and spending $1200 in vet care: 'She's living her best life'

Author image for Isabella Penn
Isabella Penn
Sep 29, 2025 9:00 PM EDT

Sometimes a microchipping a pet really is a lifeline. One former cat mom shared how she adopted a kitten back in 2012, only to rehome her with a friend when a cross-country move made it impossible to keep her. She lost contact with her friend after about a year, and the cat's story seemed to end there. Until this summer, when the shelter called to say her old pet had been brought in.

The cat was in rough shape, severe flea allergy, dermatitis, arthritis, and several benign lumps. Vets suspected she'd been living on the streets for a while. The woman drove across the country to pick her up, and after two months of treatment (equating to about $1200 in vet bills) the cat's fur grew back, her weight stabilized, and she finally looked comfortable and healthy again.

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  • After some internet sluthing, the woman later stumbled on a lost pet listing from someone claiming the cat had lived with them for ten years and had just recently gotten lost. The timing didn’t quite add up, and given the cat’s poor condition, the woman worried her cat hadn’t been properly cared for. She considered reaching out just to let them know the cat was safe, but something was stopping her. Keep reading to see what happened. 

  • Cheezburger Image 10558121472
    via JSB Co. For Unsplash+

    Image is representative only and does not depict the actual subjects of the story.


     

  • "Should I respond to my new (old) cat's previous owners post?"

    Kind of a weird situation I adopted - a kitten in 2012, but had to rehome her to a friend in 2014 because I got a new job across the country.
    via Altruistic_Onion9651
  • I couldn't take her. I spayed and microchipped her. I lost touch with the friend after about a year.
    via Altruistic_Onion9651
  • In July I got a call from the shelter in my old town, saying my cat had arrived (my name was still on her microchip) and she's in bad shape.
    via Altruistic_Onion9651
  • Luckily, my sister was around and able to scoop her up. The cat had a severe flea allergy (and was absolutely covered), as well as dermatitis.
    via Altruistic_Onion9651
  • She has very bad arthritis in her legs and can't jump or walk well. The shelter workers and the vet said they thought she looked as though she had been on the streets for a while.
    via Altruistic_Onion9651
  • I drove across the country to pick her up - I'm in a more stable place now and felt really elated I could care for her well at this point.
    via Altruistic_Onion9651
  • Honestly it was very emotional for me and I am so happy I get a second chance with her.
    via Altruistic_Onion9651
  • She's been with me for about two months now and her dermatitis is gone, she's gained a healthy amount of weight, and has gotten treatment for several benign lumps on her body.
    via Altruistic_Onion9651
  • All of her hair has finally grown back and with joint supplements her movement seems less painful. She's really doing well. I have recent vet records and have spent 1200 dollars on care at this point.
    via Altruistic_Onion9651
  • Cheezburger Image 10558121984
    via JSB Co. For Unsplash+

    Image is representative only and does not depict the actual subjects of the story.


     

  • I reconnected with my old friend, who let me know that the cat ran away about a year after I moved away, and despite looking they never found her.
    via Altruistic_Onion9651
  • Out of curiosity I started looking on lost pet facebook groups, and today I found a listing for her. The ad stated they had her for 10 years.
    via Altruistic_Onion9651
  • It was dated July 6, and I got the original call from the shelter on July 3. Which means she wasn't lost for very long, and the condition she was found in is probably just how she was living.
    via Altruistic_Onion9651
  • I really want to reach out to the person who posted the lost ad to let them know she is safe and cared for, but I don't want to return her.
    via Altruistic_Onion9651
  • She wasn't receiving medical attention and she's in a better home now. If I reach out and they demand her back do I have any obligation to comply?
    via Altruistic_Onion9651
  • Are there legal grounds for this? It seems a bit complicated since my name was/is still on the microchip and I'm the original original owner.
    via Altruistic_Onion9651
  • UPDATE/EDIT: Decided I will not contact!! I guess I just wanted to make sure that wasn't entirely unethical? I was never intending to give her back.
    via Altruistic_Onion9651
  • I just wanted to let them know she's safe. But agreed it's not needed and she's living her best life
    via Altruistic_Onion9651
  • Calgary_Calico If she'd only been missing a few days that means she wasn't being cared for. A cats condition doesn't get THAT bad in just a few days just from fleas, that takes weeks or months of neglect. Not to mention her other health issues. Leave it be. She's where she belongs, with you
    via Calgary_Calico
  • name_checks_out86 2012- You got a kitten. - 2014 You gave your friend the cat when you moved cross country.
    via name_checks_out86
  • - 2015 The cat went missing. Possibly was found/rescued/kidnapped by someone who may have had custody of it the past 10 years. Based on its condition cat was either mistreated/neglected by its keeper or had been lost and in bad condition for a while.
    via name_checks_out86
  • 2025 - Cat is found and traced back to you. 13 year old cat is in horrible condition. You nurse cat back to health, cat is finally home and safe and happy. Your question, should you tell the alleged 10 year caretakers, maybe abusers, so they won't worry about the cat anymore, or do you just love on the cat and move on with life? Worst case
    via name_checks_out86
  • scenario, they rage against you, try to find you, sue you, slander you, break into your house. Best case scenario they say, oh thanks. Personally, I would just take this as a weird life win.
    via name_checks_out86
  • basepair86 In the ten years they claimed to have had her they failed to contact you despite her microchip. You owe them nothing.
    via basepair86
  • Cheezburger Image 10558122496
    via JSB Co. For Unsplash+

    Image is representative only and does not depict the actual subjects of the story.


     

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wholesome feline friends pets microchip lost pet veterinarian uplifting cat owners feline happy ending vet Cats animals rescue
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