Family Saw Photos of Their Missing Cat on Shelter Page, Tearful Reunion After 2 Years...

Lovemeow ^ | 11APR17 | Amy Bojo

[vannrox]

A senior cat that had been missing for 2 1/2 years was reunited with his family after they found his pictures on a shelter's Facebook page.

Meet Jimmy!

Sue Zelitsky

The 15-year-old tabby cat was rescued and brought to West Milford Animal Shelter (in West Milford, New Jersey) on March 17. One of the volunteers saw him that night and wanted to help get him to a good home soon.

"Jimmy was picked up not far from West Milford Animal Shelter and brought in as a stray after the blizzard," RC of The Real Cats at West Milford Animal Shelter told Love Meow.

They created a Facebook post for Jimmy and decided to boost it--paid to have it show up in the news feed of people in the area that have specific interests. "The post received 26,636 views and 581 shares."

West Milford Animal Shelter

On March 21, they got a comment from Susan Zelitsky of Wanaque, who told the rescue group that the cat in question looked just like their beloved tiger who had been missing for two and a half years.

After exchanging a few messages, they arranged to have the family come in the next day to meet the cat. The family brought items (a pillowcase and dog toy that Jimmy had used for years) from home to see if the kitty would recognize the scent. The tabby boy's reaction to them was amazing!

West Milford Animal Shelter

"When they opened the crate door, I said, 'Jimmy is that you, bud?' and he walked over and head-butted me and smooshed his nose into the dog's toy," she told North Jersey.

"I immediately started to sob. He started to rub up against us, and when I was rubbing his belly he nipped me, which he always did. He put his head in Dayna's hands and he started to purr loudly."

West Milford Animal Shelter

Susan's husband Bob, who was Jimmy's best friend, came later that day. "Her husband immediately said "that's my boy" and of course everyone was crying very happy tears!"

"Jimmy knew his family. He got up and gave them head bonks and rolled on his back. Especially as soon as he saw his dad," RC told Love Meow.

West Milford Animal Shelter

"He went missing the day someone in the family went to visit other friends in High Crest. At the time her cat would jump into the cars in the driveway and sleep in them- they think he must have hitched a ride to High Crest and been making friends there this whole time."

The sweet senior cat gave his family and their neighbor (whom he adored) headbutts.

West Milford Animal Shelter

Jimmy went home that night with his family and they were all overjoyed.

"After 2 1/2 years our boy Jimmy has been found. A little frail a little tired a little lighter coat but he's home and we are over the moon," Susan said.

West Milford Animal Shelter

The tabby cat is 15 years old now, and he is so happy to be back with is family.

When their younger daughter came home, she couldn't believe her eyes! "He immediately rolled over for belly rubs, and she cried and cried," Susan said. "Life is great for all of us."

West Milford Animal Shelter

Share this story with your friends. If you would like to support their rescue efforts, click here to see how you can help. Follow The Real Cats at West Milford Animal Shelter on Facebook.

Related story: After 15 Months, Missing Cat is Found on River, Two Men Go to the Rescue

[JustaTech]

Sorry. When I lose one it’s always tough, but it’s odd how another one seems to find me within a month or two, one way or another.

One I have now literally came out of the desert within a couple weeks of me losing my 23 year old female a couple years ago. He was eating well out there, a chunky dude. He insists on going out but I only allow it during daylight and keep a GPS tracker on him. Mostly he hangs out in the backyard and keeps it free of packrats.

If there’s a space in your heart for another, maybe it will find you.

[vannrox]

I am so sorry for you. I know that it is hard. Best wishes.

[yldstrk]

Secret Agent Man, We promised to keep our rescue inside when we adopted him. (Cat). But he insisted on going outside. He hangs in the yard and comes in a few times a day or if the weather is wet. He is a sweet happy boy but there is no way he would agree to stay in 24/7.

[kelly4c]

Many years ago one of our cats had been missing for 3 weeks. Then one day we heard faint meows underneath the front steps, went over, and George comes walking out. He was so skinny. We took him to vet and he was treated. Of course, we had no clue where he’d been during all that time. He was a feisty muscular (25 lbs) male cat and should have had no trouble catching food outdoors, or so I had thought. He passed away 4 years ago. He was more my husband’s cat but towards the end of his life I would find him in my “room.” He liked to talk then. I would say “Hi George” 5 times in a row and 5 times he would meow hello back. He was a dignified and intelligent kitty. I miss him.

[kelly4c]

We had a black cat like that once. We’d constantly be watching for the cat cause he’d try to dart out the door, and reminding the kids to watch the cat doesn’t get out but every now and then he did. He would always come back that day or the next but sometimes with wounds on his ears. That cat was the gentlest creature with humans but for some reason he longed to get out there and scrap with other kitties!

[fortheDeclaration]

Great story!

[Delta 21]

[Redcitizen]

Jimmy is already planning his next road trip.

[Balding_Eagle]

Trapped inside?

Seems cruel.

[MayflowerMadam]

“My pets do not leave the house. To let them go missing that would mean I failed to take care of them properly.”

Ditto. The closest they get to outside is the screen porch, and even then they’re supervised.

[snarkytart]

It is awful to allow your cat outside unless you live on a farm and there is ton of acreage. They can be killed by cars, poisoned, they also decimate the local bird population. Allowing your cat to rome around the neighborhood is not good.

[thoughtomator]

Now that my cat is getting older (about to turn 13) I’ve been letting her run free outside. She very clearly wanted to enjoy the outdoors and has been such a wonderful cat it felt cruel to deny it to her.

So now she goes out every morning. Comes back when I call her, never seems to go out of earshot, and is smart enough to know to stay off the road. It’s working out well and she seems significantly happier for it. Probably doesn’t hurt that she’s got a severely dominant personality.

[Rebelbase]

Don’t know where you live but the biggest source of animals in the shelter here are strays.

[thoughtomator]

> Trapped inside? Seems cruel.

Depending on the cat, it can be or might not be.

If the cat is constantly at the window and everything interesting to it is on the other side of the window, that’s a sign that letting it get outdoors time is warranted.

[Slings and Arrows]

[Carriage Hill]

“Dogs have masters,
but Cats have staff.”

[anton]

A cat’s life expectancy is down 50% if they are allowed outside off a leash. Its cruel to let them out.

[little jeremiah]

Thank you! I love happy cat stories.

All my cats have continued their journeys and I miss them. (ie left the cat vehicle behind)

[poconopundit]

Different habitats for different cats. Our cats would complain if they had to stay inside. They are FReeper cats who enjoy spreading their wings.

[Trump Girl Kit Cat]

It is not cruel I have two and they NEVER go outside they have plenty of kitty toys, TALL kitty condos, and big windows to sit in!!! There are coyotes and other predators out there!!! My neighbor had two kitties ripped to shreds by cyotes NO WAY are my babies going outside!!!