In 2006, Jason and Liz McKenry of Annapolis, Maryland, faced every pet owner’s worst nightmare – their beloved cat, Ritz, bolted out the door and went missing. The couple, who considered Ritz their “baby” before having children, spent months searching tirelessly, contacting shelters and following every lead they could.
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But as the years passed, their hope of finding Ritz began to dwindle. Liz, however, couldn’t bring herself to delete Ritz’s lost pet poster, fearing it would be like erasing his existence. A sliver of hope remained, even as 16 long years came and went.
An Unexpected Text Revives Lost Hope
Little did the McKenrys know, their perseverance was about to pay off in an astonishing way. Six miles away from Jason’s old apartment, a woman found a stray cat in terrible condition living in a trailer park. Intending to have the cat humanely euthanized, she brought it to a veterinary office.
Following standard procedure, the vet scanned the cat for a microchip – and that’s when Jason received an automated text that changed everything: “Cat Ritz has been found.”
A Reunion 16 Years in the Making
Initially skeptical, thinking it must be a mistake or a recycled microchip number, Jason soon realized the unbelievable truth – Ritz had been found after 16 years, setting a new record for the longest pet reunion facilitated by a microchip.
Despite two injured legs, Ritz is now on the mend and enjoying a comfortable life with the McKenrys, including the brother and sister he never knew. While his whereabouts during those 16 years remain a mystery, one thing is certain: the family’s unwavering hope paid off in the most miraculous way.
The Power of Microchips and Perseverance
Ritz’s incredible story serves as a powerful reminder of the importance of microchipping pets and never giving up hope. As Steve Hartman, who reported on the reunion for CBS, said, “For 16 years, Ritz was lost, but hope was never.”
The reunion not only brought immense joy to the McKenry family but also inspired countless others to keep faith in finding their missing furry companions. It’s a heartwarming tale that proves the unbreakable bond between pets and their owners can truly transcend time and distance.
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