When a pet goes missing, it’s more than heartbreaking. These aren’t only cats or dogs, but family. So, imagine not seeing your beloved kitty for years, then one day, you get a call saying they’ve ended up in the shelter and are waiting for you.

This is what happened to one family when their 11-year-old Calico cat, whom they hadn’t seen in five years, found her way to a shelter—and their reunion is one of the most heartwarming scenes in all of 2025.

Having an indoor cat go missing is one of the most helpless feelings in the world. My childhood kitty suddenly disappeared one day 25 years ago, and I still miss him and wonder how he spent the rest of his days. This video shared by Tanya (via @craftymamamb) is a great reminder to hug your fur children every chance you get.

To sum up the story of how this happened, Tanya explained in another video that she rehomed their two cats, ages 6 and 8 at the time, due to their child’s allergies. She randomly got a call from a shelter three hours away that said they found her, thanks to a microchip.

She added that she’s been trying to track down the kitty’s parents, but hasn’t had luck so far, and didn’t want the precious girl to spend the last part of her life in a shelter, which is “how she started her life.”

Related: Rescue Labrador Missing for 2 Weeks Reunited With Elderly Dad All Thanks to a Dirty Sock

Regardless of the circumstances, a reunion like this is nothing short of a miracle. To have been apart all these years and then see each other again is such a beautiful gift. What I wouldn’t do to have had this moment with my childhood cat.

Here’s Mom detailing more of how this came to be.

Microchips Safeguard Against Losing Pets

According to Vet MD, cats and dogs with microchips—which are really just a permanent ID—are 2.4 times more likely to be found and reunited with their families than those who aren’t chipped.

There are a few factors that ensure the reunion, such as parents keeping contact information up to date in the database (and the chip is working properly). The misconception that chips act as a GPS isn’t how it works, but as long as the chip has your current phone number and address, the chances of seeing your pet again are high.

Though I didn’t get the chance to do this with my cat all those years ago, it’s stories like the precious Calico seeing Mom after five years that make it hurt a little less.

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This story was originally published by Parade Pets on Dec 19, 2025, where it first appeared in the Pet News section. Add Parade Pets as a Preferred Source by clicking here.