Holly was lost in Daytona and made it home
to owner Jake Richter of West Palm Beach
two months later. Photo provided
Watch video reports of Holly's journey: ABC News | 25 WPBF News | Ellen
By Arden Moore
Most of us consciously remember to take our driver’s license when we head out the door. We input emergency contacts on our cell phones. And the navigational systems in our cars or smartphones ensure we never lose our way.
If only we could translate these actions onto our pets. Sure, we fit them with microchips, ID tags that dangle from their collars and may have our phone numbers embroidered on their collars next to their names.
As much as we try to keep them safe and protect them from harm, life happens. It just takes one door to be left ajar and — poof — they can dash out and disappear. Such is the case of Holly, a 4-year-old tortoiseshell cat who has been garnering news headlines from West Palm Beach to the West Coast.
This feline is fussy when it comes to unleashing affection. Her favorite people are her owners, Jake and Bonnie Richter of West Palm Beach. For most everyone else, her first response is to flee or hiss.
On Nov. 4, her life changed unexpectedly. The Richters traveled 190 miles north on I-95 in their motor home to attend a Good Sams event at the Daytona International Speedway with Holly onboard. All was well until that day when Holly bolted out the motor home door. Despite searching for her, calling her name, posting fliers and reaching out to pet rescue groups, the Richters couldn’t find Holly and with great sadness, returned home.
Two months later, Barb Mazzola of Palm Beach Gardens noticed what appeared to be furry rat in her backyard. Upon closer inspection, she realized it was a cat — a skinny, hungry one.
“She was so weak from hunger that she tried to meow, but couldn’t,” recalls Mazzola, an executive assistant to the Provost at Palm Beach Atlantic University. “I’m highly allergic to cats, so it was ironic that this kitty would choose my yard. But my daughter, Tay, ran inside and got tuna. This poor cat was so hungry.”
Over the next five days, the Mazzolas did their best to coax this cat onto their patio and to gain her trust. On day five, Mazzola left her sliding door open and in walked this cat who greeted her.
Despite her allergies, Mazzola adored this cat and decided to keep her and name her Cosette in tribute to the character in Les Miserables. She booked a veterinary appointment and that’s when it was discovered that this cat had a microchip containing not one, but four ways to contact the Richters.
“I sat down and cried because I was happy to reunite her, but sad because I had fallen in love with her after only a week,” says Mazzola.
Now here comes the hard-to-explain part. Mazzola lives about one mile from the Richters.
How did Holly get back home from Daytona? Did she walk the entire 190 miles in two months? How did she survive despite losing half her body weight? How did she know where home was?
“When Barb delivered Holly to me, she just cuddled with me,” says Richter, age 70, a retired crew chief for Northwest Airlines. “I jokingly said she must have a built-in GPS system, and she certainly went through most of her nine lives, but she is finally home again. I have my kitty back.”
I’m delighted to share Holly’s tale because it has a happy ending.
To increase the chances of being reunited with your beloved pet, I offer these tips:
Provide triple identification. As soon as you adopt, bring in your pet for a veterinarian to insert a microchip (about the size of a grain of rice) that contains ways to contact you and the veterinarian. And, register that info with the microchip company. In addition, get an ID tag that contains in easy-to-read font your pet’s name and your cell phone number. Do the same with his collar.
Train your dog to heed the “come here” command. Practice at home and enclosed areas and dole out Grade A-level treats when he complies so that he knows that heeding your call garners a tasty payout. Never call your dog and then verbally scold him for a misdeed. It will only build mistrust.
Make your home more escape-proof. Regularly inspect your window screens to ensure they are not loose and cause a sun-basking cat to fall out the window. Usher your pets into an enclosed room with pet amenities when repair personnel are in your home. Post signs in bright colors on the door to alert them that pets are inside.
Go high-tech. Check into a new generation of tracking devices that can be fitted on to your pet’s collar that allows you to pinpoint their whereabouts from your smart phone or computer.
Years ago, my cat, Samantha, a gray tabby, disappeared for 57 days. She came back skinny, scared and collar-less. Like the Richters, I was fortunate to be reunited with my cat. Each day we have with our pets should be treasured. Do me a favor: Hug your pets for me and take steps to keep track of them.
Arden Moore, founder of FourLeggedLife.com, is an animal behavior consultant, editor, author, professional speaker and certified pet first aid master instructor. She happily shares her home with two dogs, two cats and one overworked vacuum cleaner. Tune in to her Oh Behave! show on PetLifeRadio.com and learn more by visiting www.fourleggedlife.com.
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