After spending six months presumed stolen, ginger cat Micky was recently found in a good Samaritan's garden.
He was looking worse for ware and eventually found his way to RSPCA WA.
Micky had a cough and some gunk around his eyes but experienced staff thought he looked like someone owned and loved him.
The vet team scanned him for a microchip and were thrilled when they found one. Micky's owner, Tracey, was contacted straight away and she raced to the Animal Care Centre in Malaga where she was tearfully reunited with her lost furry best friend.
Tracey said she and her family had searched for Micky for months to no avail and they eventually resigned themselves to the fact that he may have been stolen.
It turns out Micky was just roaming the streets for over six months undetected!
"When RSPCA WA called about Micky, I was stunned," Tracey said.
"He'd been gone for over six months and I'd given up hope. I was so relieved to hear he was safe.
"Micky's back home, snuggling and purring away. Seeing his sweet face every day is amazing; it's like he never left.
"I've had Micky since he was a kitten; he always followed me, demanding cuddles, which he repaid with purrs. We named him after my beloved uncle, who was terminally ill at the time.
"Micky is family, not just a pet. He's my heart cat, and his purrs have helped me through some tough times.
"Thank you to whoever found him and the RSPCA staff who nursed him back to health and reunited us."
Micky's story of perseverance highlighted the importance of microchipping cats.
RSPCA WA Shelter Manager Emily Farrell said she was thrilled to see Micky reunited with his family.
"This story just shows how important it is to make sure your cat, or dog for that matter, is microchipped," she said.
"Without his microchip Micky would have been cleared for adoption and could have ended up in someone else's home.
"The reunion was beautiful, and we are overjoyed to see Micky happy and safe at home."
