One ordinary morning, Lisa Magick let her 16-year-old diabetic cat, Fry, out of the house. He was used to exploring the neighbourhood for a few hours before coming home. On this particular day, he wasn't wearing his collar, but he was microchipped. As the hours flew by, Fry failed to return.
Increasingly worried, Lisa spent days and nights searching the streets of her neighbourhood. She shook treat bags and knocked on every door, but there was no sign of her beloved pet.
How a simple misunderstanding led to a flight across the country
In reality, Fry hadn't wandered very far at all. He had simply strolled three houses down the road, where a party was in full swing. One of the guests fell in love with the friendly feline but mistook his diabetic symptoms for severe malnutrition.
Convinced that he was abandoned or neglected, and that she had to rescue him, the woman decided to take him with her. She boarded a plane and flew him all the way to her home in California, on the other side of the country.
The microchip that changed everything
The truth finally came to light during a routine check-up at a veterinary clinic in California. When the vet scanned the cat's microchip, they discovered the identity of his real owner.
Once she realised her mistake, the well-meaning rescuer immediately contacted Lisa before personally bringing Fry back home. Now safely back where he belongs, Fry is wearing a brand-new collar complete with a GPS tracker.
