Missing Cat Bubba Reunited with Owner After Half a Decade

A pet owner from Ashford in Kent has been reunited with her cat, Bubba, who disappeared five years ago. Janine Yarnell identified Bubba on a local Facebook lost and found group, and the cat’s identity was subsequently confirmed following a visit to the veterinary clinic. Ms. Yarnell informed the BBC that Bubba “always meant a great deal to me,” but acknowledged that her hope of finding the cat safely had begun to diminish after such a long period. Bubba had been microchipped when she first joined the family, but the contact information for Ms. Yarnell on the chip had become outdated. Bubba originally went missing on 8 October 2019. The cat was sighted on the street by an individual on 12 November 2024, and a photograph was uploaded to Facebook. Ms. Yarnell stated that the photo “broke my heart” and prompted her to question whether the lost feline was hers. Ms. Yarnell mentioned that members of the group utilized a digital facial feature comparison tool to ascertain the similarities between the cat on the street and Bubba. The comparative analysis, as expected, indicated very strong resemblances. Veterinarians confirmed that the microchip embedded in the cat contained Ms. Yarnell’s old phone number, leading to Bubba’s reunion with her owner. Bubba is now back home, recovering well, and receiving abundant love and attention from the family. Ms. Yarnell remarked, “She’s been on the streets for five years, she needs time to adjust.” However, she added that “it looks like she’s back to normal,” and the family expresses immense happiness. Follow BBC Kent on Facebook, on X, and on Instagram. Send your story ideas to southeasttoday@bbc.co.uk or WhatsApp us on 08081 002250. Copyright 2024 BBC. All rights reserved. The BBC is not responsible for the content of external sites. Read about our approach to external linking.