Perry Martin, a retired K9 officer of Fort Pierce, Fla., thought he lost his beloved orange tabby, Thomas Jr., nicknamed T2, during 2004’s deadly Hurricane Jeanne. Perry had filed a missing animal report, and after countless fruitless searches for the cat, had assumed the worst.
Turned out he was completely wrong!
On March 14, Martin received a call he was never expecting: the Humane Society of Treasure Coast (HSTC) in Palm City, Florida had found T2, The stray cat was brought into the facility and, after he was scanned for a microchip, he was traced back to Martin. The pair, as it turns out, had been separated for 14 years.
In an interview with local news affiliate WPTV, Martin said, “As soon as I looked at that face, I knew exactly who he was. A little bit older, kind of like me!” (T2 is estimated to be about 18 years old now.)
“T2’s in pretty rough shape, hardly eating at all and he sleeps 98 percent of the time,” Martin told the HSTC. “I wish I knew where he went … what he’s been doing all of this time.”
Thankfully, T2 has already adjusted to being back home.”He had an opportunity to come home, spend time with his family and be on a good note when he passes. Until that day, he’ll be spoiled like he was before he left,” Martin told WPTV.
The reunion of T2 and his owner Perry is both inspiring and serves as an incredible reminder to all pet parents to have their animals microchipped.
Watch the heartwarming reunion in the video below:
