Cat Escapes From Carrier on the Way to the Vet, But Months-Long Search Has Happy Ending

Original Article: https://blog.theanimalrescuesite.greatergood.com/rescue-story-sunshine/

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One October day, I decided to become one of those “Sunday Afternoon Drivers” and travel in search of some fall scenery. During my travels, I saw a cat that had been hit by a car next to the side of the road. As I passed, I saw something move.

sunshine3 - Cat Escapes From Carrier on the Way to the Vet, But Months-Long Search Has Happy Ending — KITTEN. PHOTO: PIXABAY / DIRK SCHUMACHER

I backed up and saw two jet black kittens standing next to their deceased mama. My heart just broke. These little helpless kittens would most likely have the same fate if left near the road. I pulled over, telling myself that if they would let me pick them up, I would take them home. The next thing I knew, they were on my lap in the car. Upon arriving home, they were promptly named Midnight and Sunshine.

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Fast forward two years. While taking Sunshine to the vet for her annual vaccinations, she escaped from her carrier that mistakenly did not get latched all the way, in a town 45 minutes from our home. We called her name and scoured the woods for hours. After returning home, I laid down on my bed and cried like a baby. How could I have let this happen?

sunshine2 - Cat Escapes From Carrier on the Way to the Vet, But Months-Long Search Has Happy Ending — CAT. PHOTO: PIXABAY / PUBLICDOMAINPICTURES

After composing myself, I placed ads on craigslist, I called shelters, I made fliers to hand out. I ended up handing out over 50 fliers in the neighboring community, just going house to house. I received a few calls from people that had spotted her but could not get close enough to catch her. Almost three month passed. It was December. It was getting cold, snow had fallen. I thought, “This is it. She’s gone.” Until…

Two weeks before Christmas, I got a phone call. “I am pretty sure we have your cat. She just showed up the other day.” The woman said that she lives about two miles from where Sunshine escaped. I drove to the woman’s house immediately. As soon as I walked in the door, Sunshine ran to me and I picked her up. She buried her head into my arm and just nuzzled me. And now she’s home. Right where she belongs.