Zumer came to us in a group of week-old foster kittens May 2006. He was raised with his brother (Grover), two sisters (Gummy and Marble) and an unrelated kitty (Bug). We soon fell in love and all five kitties became permanent family members.

Zumer and his brother, Grover, disappeared March 2007. My husband and I were out of town - when we returned April 2007 (April fool’s Day) we couldn’t find Zumer or Grover anywhere. They usually answered and came running when they were called. Zumer especially would run at top speed to greet us when we returned from past trips. The pet sitter said she couldn’t tell the cats apart (we had 7) and she didn’t enforce our curfew and didn’t even realize that two cats were missing. So we had no clue if the boys were missing only 1 day or for the entire 2 and a half weeks we were gone.

Within hours of our return, I reported the boys lost through HomeAgain, posted their info on the websites PetFinder and TabbyTracker, blanketed the neighborhood with posters, spoke with neighbors and was outside every night for months calling for them softly and listening for an answer.

Months later, I still had a glimmer of hope that the brothers may have gone searching for us, so I continued to scan the PetFinder and TabbyTracker websites every few months - but didn't really believe I would ever see them again. We even talked about putting their names on a tiny grave marker in our little pet cemetery.

I got the message on my birthday, 18 Aug 2010 “please call if you lost a cat named Zumer.” He was scanned at the Markham Woods Animal Hospital, Holy Cow! Zumer and his brother were only 11 months old when they disappeared nearly three and a half years ago! I was in shock and couldn't dial the number fast enough. We are so thankful to the veterinary office for scanning the chip. They do work!

I'm so happy Zumer is OK and back home (minus a canine tooth). Zumer is finally home safe and becoming reacquainted with sisters Marble and Gummy, stepbrother Bug, and the rest of our furry family - what a miracle. It's so good to have him home! Three and a half years is a long time! We know where Zumer was the last year (10 miles away), but not how he got there (had to cross St.Johns River) or where he was the first two years. Zumer’s part of the adventure had a happy ending, but what happened to his brother Grover? We have renewed hope he's safe somewhere. Maybe we'll get another phone call…

Posted By: Laura Finn, Deltona, FL - 8/23/2010
Pet Name: Zumer  Species: Cat  Breed: DSH  Sex: Male