Cat Walks 12 Miles To Reunite With Family Who Abandoned Him

Toby was a cat with a heart full of love, and for him, family meant everything. But in February, his world was turned upside down. His family gave him away to strangers, and Toby couldn’t understand why. He missed them terribly. 

So, he did the only thing he could think of: he ran away, hoping to find his way back. Toby walked 12 miles to return to the only home he had ever known. He finally made it to the doorstep, probably dreaming of hugs and familiar faces. But instead of a warm welcome, he got something heartbreaking.

The family took him to a local shelter and asked for him to be put down.
“It was just so heartbreaking to know he made it all the way back to his family, and that was their response,” said Tara Lynn, communications director for the SPCA of Wake County.

Thankfully, the shelter refused to put Toby down. They contacted the SPCA, and the SPCA quickly agreed to take him in. They gave Toby the care and treatment he needed to get ready for a loving new home.

“He tested positive for feline immunodeficiency virus and also had an upper respiratory infection,” Lynn explained. “We got him treated for the infection, but it took a little while.”

Despite everything he had been through, Toby stayed sweet and gentle.
“He was very friendly,” Lynn said. “Just your typical loving cat who wanted affection and to give love in return.”

Once the SPCA shared Toby’s story online, something amazing happened. Calls and messages started pouring in from people who wanted to give him a real forever home.

One of those people was Michele Puckett from Raleigh, North Carolina.

“She was at a job site, but the moment she heard about Toby, she dropped everything and rushed over to meet him,” Lynn said.

It was love at first sight. Michele adopted Toby right away — and it didn’t take long for him to settle into his new life. Now, he has two cat siblings and two human siblings to keep him company.

“He’s so sweet, cuddly, and loving,” Michele said. “It’s like he’s always been here. He even sleeps under our pillows and has completely taken over our bed!

Seeing how happy Toby is now, Michele often thinks about the life he narrowly escaped.
“It’s really hard to understand how someone could leave him to be put down,” she said. “We just feel so lucky he was saved.”

Toby’s story touched a lot of hearts. Tara Lynn hopes it inspires people to think differently about rescue pets.

“There are so many animals who are given up by families or breeders,” she said. “I really hope Toby’s story encourages more people to adopt and give these pets a second chance.”