A California family who thought their beloved cat, Thomas, was killed in the wildfires that destroyed their home in October received a pleasant, purring surprise this week.
Dani Stockham can thank a compassionate park ranger, and a microchip for the miraculous reunion.
After a cat's remains were found in the rubble of the Stockham's residence days after the fire, the family assumed it was Thomas and said their goodbyes, KTVU reported.
Seven weeks later, San Francisco Park Ranger Shannon Jay contacted the family with good news. He had been setting traps to capture pets lost in the wildfires. The cat's microchip was scanned, confirming that the Stockhams were the owners. Jay was able to reach the Stockham family via email, KTVU reported.
The Stockhams said that 45 days in the wild has left Thomas a bit thinner and exhausted, but he was meowing and purring when he was reunited with his family.
Support real journalism. Support local journalism. Subscribe to The Atlanta Journal-Constitution today. See offers.
Your subscription to the Atlanta Journal-Constitution funds in-depth reporting and investigations that keep you informed. Thank you for supporting real journalism.