Lost cat reunites with owners after two months and a thousand miles thanks to microchip company alert
Rayne Beau darted into the woods, while my other cat stayed quietly curled up in the vehicle. My husband and I quickly shut the door to prevent another escape, then ran after Rayne Beau.
- 5 days ago
November 10, 2024
Rayne Beau pictured before his escape from the RV during a trip to Yellowstone National Park. | Photo courtesy of Susanne Anguiano.
WYOMING, United States — Reuniting with my cat after two long months felt surreal. We lost our cat over a thousand miles from home, convinced we would never see him again. Yet, against all odds, he managed to cross a good part of the country to find his way back to us. The joy and relief that flooded over me matched the sadness I felt at the thought of losing him forever.
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RV adventure turns into a search after cat escapes
My husband and I often travel with our trailer, bringing our cats for the adventure. On June 4, 2024, we set off on a longer journey than usual, heading to Yellowstone National Park with a stopover in Price Canyon. Until the last stretch, everything went smoothly. The cats remained calm, and we enjoyed the drive. As the final day stretched to over 10 hours on the road, I started noticing signs of stress in them, especially in Rayne Beau.
When we arrived at our destination, we set up the trailer. Once everything was ready, I went to get the cats from the vehicle. Rayne Beau looked visibly upset. I attached his leash to his collar, but as soon as I opened the door, he bolted so quickly, he slipped from my grasp. I managed to grab the leash again, but his collar couldn’t withstand the pull, and it broke.
Rayne Beau darted into the woods, while my other cat stayed quietly curled up in the vehicle. My husband and I quickly shut the door to prevent another escape, then ran after Rayne Beau. We lost sight of him but continued searching, calling his name as we moved deeper into the woods. After nearly two hours, we reached a section blocked by fallen trees. My husband climbed over them and spotted Rayne Beau in the distance, calmly exploring.
We decided to give him space, hoping he would return willingly. Before bed, I set out his toys, bed, water, and food near our campsite. I hoped the familiar items might lure him back. Rayne Beau’s absence cast a shadow over the entire trip.
Two months later, a miracle call: microchip company had our lost cat
We spoke with park rangers, who reassured us that lost pets often find their way back. I took daytime walks through the stunning landscape, but nothing stirred me. I felt solely focused on finding Rayne Beau. Each time I left the car, I hurried back, hoping to see him return. My husband and I cried often, and every night before bed, we took one last walk along the forest’s edge. We shined flashlights, hoping to catch the glint of his eyes. After four days, the time came to leave.
I went out one last time in the morning, driving around for an hour, calling his name, but he did not appear. Getting into the car without Rayne Beau felt devastating. It felt like abandoning my furry baby. With no other choice, I asked my husband to drive as slowly as possible. I rolled down my window and called out for him through sobs, hoping for a miracle that never came. On the drive back home, lost in sadness, I looked up to see a double rainbow forming. Since Rayne Beau sounds like rainbow, I took it as a sign That small comfort in my sea of anguish brought me hope for the first time in days.
Two months after our trip, while at a family birthday gathering, I received a call from an unknown number. I ignored it, but then they called my daughter, leaving a message from the microchip company. I called back, cautiously hopeful, and they confirmed the news. “We have a cat here registered to you,” they said. They sent photos, and it was him. Overwhelmed with joy, I turned to my husband and said, “It is a miracle.” The company was three hours away, too far to pick him up that day.
Rayne Beau’s return home: happier than ever
The next day, we stood eagerly outside the company’s doors before it opened, holding a carrier for Rayne Beau. Seeing him again felt incredible but emotionally overwhelming. Inside the carrier, he looked restless, eager to be free. Once we settled him in the car, he relaxed, taking in the familiar scents. As soon as we started driving, he lowered his head and fell asleep, exhausted. Occasionally, we spoke to him, and he would lift his head to meow, as if he knew he was finally on his way home.
When we got home and let him out of the carrier, we saw he lost weight, about 40 percent of his body mass. His paws were sore from walking. We took him to his usual room, and he seemed to recognize it instantly. Hungry, he ate a little, then looked up at me and purred, as if in gratitude. It felt like a deeply sweet moment, filled with relief and love. It took Rayne Beau about a week to fully settle back in. The vet put him on a special diet to normalize his blood levels, which took two weeks.
Initially, he was constantly hungry, but we managed his intake carefully. For the first few days, he stayed close to me, gradually warming up to his sister and the new cat we adopted. Bit by bit, he resumed his old routines, returning to favorite sleeping spots and toys. Now, he seems happier than ever and even more affectionate, cozying up to both me and my husband with what feels like genuine gratitude.
