Missing Maine cat found in Florida after 7 years

PORTLAND, Maine (WGME) – A western Maine cat is being reunited with its owner seven years after it disappeared.

Denise Cilley and her daughter adopted a cat from an animal shelter back in 2014 and decided to name the kitten Ashes.

They say they tried to keep Ashes inside, but the cat had a free spirit and liked to go out. In August of 2015, Ashes went out and wasn't seen again.

This week, the family got a call from Florida about a cat with a microchip that was traced back to Maine.

Cilley said she couldn't believe it at first.

“I'm like, ‘Well how old is this cat?’ ‘Pretty old.’ I'm like, ‘I've been missing a cat for six and a half years,’” Cilley said. “Then my daughter heard me talking on the phone and was like, ‘Is it Ashes, is she alive?’ and yes she is."

The cat is now coming home. Cilley says everyone should get a microchip in case their pet goes missing.