In Cleveland, TX, we often encounter stray, feral, abandoned, and sometimes even abused animals wandering around. It’s a heartbreaking reality that many people don’t have the means to take in more animals, but there are still those who do what they can to provide them with the care and love they need. Recently, I had an experience that truly reminded me of the importance of compassion for animals and how, with a little effort, we can help them find their way back home.
A few days ago, a sweet little kitten showed up on my doorstep. She was incredibly cuddly and affectionate, and it felt like she must have belonged to someone before. Unfortunately, she was also in poor health—coughing, sneezing, and suffering from diarrhea. It was clear that she needed care, and my first thought was that she had been dumped. I took her in, fed her, and gave her a safe place to rest. I even shared her story on social media, hoping to find her a loving home.
After five days with this little one, I started planning to send her out of state to a foster home that could provide her the care she needed. But something in me said to take her to the vet first—just to be sure. I’m so grateful I did because she ended up being microchipped! The vet contacted her owners, and thankfully, she was reunited with her family, who had been searching for her every day since she went missing.
It turns out that the kitten had gone missing on a Wednesday, and the family believed she might have accidentally jumped into the back of a truck and gotten lost. I found her on Thursday, unaware of how close she was to her family who missed her dearly. I had kept her safe and loved on her, but the family had been desperately searching for her.
This experience was a gentle but powerful reminder: Always check if an animal that shows up at your doorstep is microchipped. You never know who could be out there looking for their furry family member. I’m relieved that we were able to get her back home safely and that she’s now getting the treatment she needs for her cold. It was a humbling moment when the family came by to say thank you for caring for their little one.
So, I urge everyone—if a stray or lost animal comes into your life, please take the time to have them checked for a chip. It could make all the difference in reuniting a lost pet with their loving family. Compassion for animals goes a long way, and sometimes, it leads to a happy ending.