Cat lost for over 400 days after hurricane reunited with owners in “Christmas miracle”

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After being lost for over a year, a cat is back with its family in North Carolina. The reunion happened after the cat was separated from them by Hurricane Helene.

Hurricane Helene, a powerful category four storm, struck the Southeastern United States in late September 2024. Making landfall in Florida on September 26th with peak winds of 140 mph, it caused approximately $80 billion in damage and became the deadliest hurricane since Katrina.

Even after losing strength and becoming a post-tropical cyclone, the storm still heavily impacted states like Florida, North Carolina, South Carolina, Georgia, and Tennessee.

Storms often cause pets to become lost or separated from their owners due to the confusion and disruption they create.

Cat reunited with family more than away after getting lost

More than a year after the storm, a cat named Gabby in North Carolina was finally reunited with her family. Someone brought her to a shelter, and they were able to track down her owners.

The Avery Humane Society announced on Facebook on December 14th that they found a microchip in a dog they scanned. They discovered she had been missing for 443 days, last seen after Hurricane Helene.

After a long wait, she’s home with her family again! Microchips aren’t just identification tags – they’re a crucial way to help lost pets get back to their owners. Whether it’s during an emergency, a natural disaster, or a simple mishap, a microchip can be the key to a happy reunion. Just remember, the microchip only works if the contact information registered to it is current.

Gabby was happily reunited with the Hughes family, and Payton Marie, one of the family members, left a comment on the Humane Society’s social media post about it.

“So glad to have our Gabby home!!” she said. 

People were calling it a “Christmas miracle” for the Hughes family, expressing how happy they were with the positive outcome. Many shared similar sentiments, simply saying it was a heartwarming and joyful ending, and wishing everyone a Merry Christmas.

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2025-12-22 17:49