15 Years Later, Missing Cat Is Reunited With Owner

LOS ANGELES, CA —A man was reunited with his cat this week in Palmdale 15 years after she mysteriously disappeared. She reappeared just as mysteriously.

It began on Sunday with a befuddling phone call.

The man, identified by animal control officials only as Charles, couldn't believe his voicemail. His long-lost microchipped cat Brandy was at the Palmdale Animal Care Center waiting to be picked up.

Officer Luis Leal from the Los Angeles County Department of Animal Care and Control had received a field call asking for help with an injured stray found on the front porch of a Palmdale home. Leal brought the cat back to the Palmdale Animal Care Center, where she received medical care and was found to be alert, healthy and friendly, interacting well with the staff.

Leal scanned the cat and located a microchip that was traced back to Charles.

Leal left Charles a message that his cat had been found and was being cared for at the Palmdale center. The following day, Charles called back, confused, and asked why he was receiving a call from animal control because he does not own any pets.

Sgt. Chris Valles at the Palmdale animal care center advised him that a cat was found in the city of Palmdale and her microchip information was linked back him.

"Charles was completely shocked to hear that his cat Brandy was located as he had not seen her in over 15 years," according to a statement released by the Los Angeles County Department of Animal Care & Control. "He was so happy you could hear it in his voice over the phone. Charles was very emotional and continued sharing with Sgt. Valles that Brandy went missing over 15 years ago and he never thought he would see her again."

When asked if he was interested in picking up the cat and taking her home, he replied, "Yes, adoption is forever," according to Valles.

Where Brandy spent the last decade and a half, no one knows. It only took the better part of two decades, but Brandy finally made it back home.

DACC officials encouraged all pet owners to microchip their pets, noting that "without the microchipping of Brandy and the diligence of the officer, this reunion would have been impossible."

City News Service and Patch Staffer Paige Austin contributed to this report.