When a black cat went missing over two years ago, his owner believed she might never see Kirby again.
However, for all that time, Kirby had been only a few blocks away from his owner, Maureen, who lives in West Milford, New Jersey. She learned of his whereabouts when he was recently taken to an animal shelter, where staff discovered his microchip.
When they rang Maureen, who rushed over to reunite with him, it transpired that her circumstances had changed in the previous 888 days and she now has two dogs and two cats.
She admitted she wasn't sure she could manage another pet, but didn't want to leave him at the shelter. However, it all worked out for the best as Sonia, the woman who found Kirby and took him to the shelter, had a change of heart and asked to adopt him.
Richard Adamonis, a volunteer at the West Milford Animal Shelter Society spoke to Newsweek about the reunion and an unexpected plot twist.
He said: "While Maureen was reacquainting herself with Kirby, Sonia—the woman who brought him to us earlier in the day—came back to the shelter. She said she had changed her mind and wanted to keep him after all."
Adamonis explained: "Kirby was is in very good shape, healthy, and clean, which is amazing after being outdoors all that time."
He had spent five days in and out of Sonia's garden before she decided to take him to the shelter on November 21.
Adamonis told Newsweek: "It was a Thanksgiving miracle. Kirby is going to be in a loving home!
"The timing was so unbelievable. It's almost as if it was meant to be. What are the chances that Sonia would return to the shelter to take Kirby home at the exact same time Maureen was there to claim him?"
The two women exchanged phone numbers and plan to stay in touch.
Kirby's story is a powerful reminder of the importance of microchipping pets.
Microchips give lost pets the best chance of being identified and reunited with their owners.
According to the American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA), an estimated 10 million dogs and cats are lost or stolen in the United States every year. A study published in the Journal of the AVMA revealed that only 22 percent of lost dogs entering shelters were returned to their owners. However, that percentage rose to over 52 percent for dogs with microchips.
Adamonis added: "This heartwarming reunion serves as a poignant reminder of the importance of microchipping our pets. It's more than just a safety measure; it's a lifeline that connects lost animals with their families, ensuring they never have to face the uncertainties of the world alone. Please commit to microchip your pets, you are their whole world, and they are counting on you."
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