Five Years Later, Willow the Cat Makes It Home

When a calico cat named Willow disappeared from her Colorado home five years ago, the Squires family put up “lost cat” posters and placed ads online. But as time passed, they lost hope. This week, thanks to a computer chip the size of a grain of rice, Willow has been found.

A kind man spotted the friendly cat on a Manhattan street and took her to an animal shelter, where Willow’s microchip led workers to her family more than 1,800 miles away. How Willow found her way to New York and what her life was like during those five years is a mystery, but what is certain is that her family never would have seen her again if not for her microchip. “All our pets are microchipped,” said Willow’s grateful guardian. “If I could microchip my kids, I would.”

If your companion animals aren’t already microchipped, why not take this opportunity to schedule an appointment today? Collars and tags are crucial, but they can fall off or be removed. As Willow’s story shows, a microchip is a permanent safeguard.

Written by Michelle Kretzer