Oct 6, 2007 7:39 pm US/Central
Family Reunited With Cat Lost For Year And A Half
by Maya Nishikawa
(WCCO)
-
-
Mena had been adopted from the Coon Rapids humane society and had a microchip on her neck . (File)
CBS
It can be heartbreaking to lose a pet, but sometimes there are happy endings.
A family in Mounds View has been reunited with their lost cat almost a year and a half later.
The cat, named Mena, has set a new record at the animal humane society for a lost animal returned to it's owner. Previously, the record was 57 days.
"She is not a typical cat," said Leah Killian-Smith, one of Mena's owners.
Mena is a kitty who does everything a little differently.
"She falls off of things, does not land on her feet, is very clumsy, is very inquisitive. She's been like that since she was little," added Killian-Smith.
The outdoors proved too much of a temptation for the curious cat last year.
"We started to worry and think that maybe something bad had happened to her," said Killian-Smith.
After six months of searching, Mena's family gave up hope. About 16 months had passed when they received a call.
"I was very surprised," said Killian-Smith.
But disbelief turned to relief when Leah realized it was her long lost goofy girl.
"She's got a dingy attitude and falls off countertops. They said that's her to a tee," said Killian-Smith.
Luckily, Mena had been adopted from the Coon Rapids humane society and had a microchip on her neck .
It took just a quick scan to find her owners.
"With the microchips we have much better success -- it's a 24-hour turnaround, " said Renee Rude, St. Paul Animal Humane Society.
The Animal Humane Society shelters now place microchips in all cats, dogs, rabbits and ferrets for adoption. It doesn't hurt the animal and can never be lost.
Unfortunately, very few strays at the shelters have microchips and less than a quarter of the pets make it home to their owners. Mena's family is thankful for the technology, but they're not pushing their luck.
"She'll only be inside with us. We don't want her lost again," said Killian-Smith.
At the Golden Valley and Coon Rapids animal society locations there are monthly chip and nail clinics.
For $40 your pet gets a microchip and its nails trimmed.
The St. Paul and Woodbury shelters will offer the service next year.
(© MMVII, CBS Broadcasting Inc. All Rights Reserved.)
Click to enlarge
Stumble It!
