Cat lost during Hurricane Helene miraculously reunited with family after 443 days: ‘A Christmas miracle’
A beloved family cat that vanished during Hurricane Helene’s sweep through the Southeast last year has been joyfully reunited with her family after 443 days.
Gabby, the adventurous feline, was brought to the Avery Humane Society in North Carolina as a stray on December 13. Staff quickly discovered that Gabby had been missing since the devastating storm struck the Tar Heel state in September 2024. Thanks to her microchip, the shelter was able to track down her family and bring the long-lost cat home.
“Yesterday, a sweet cat was brought to us as a stray,” the Newland shelter shared on Facebook.
“When we scanned her, we discovered she had a microchip. With a little digging, we learned she had gone missing after Hurricane Helene — 443 days ago. Today, after all that time, she is finally back where she belongs — reunited with her family.”
Hurricane Helene made landfall in Florida on September 26, 2024, and became the second deadliest U.S. storm in two decades, claiming more than 250 lives across six states, with North Carolina suffering the most fatalities. Only Hurricane Katrina has left a heavier toll in recent memory.
The touching reunion quickly captured hearts on social media, with users calling it a “Christmas miracle.”
“I’m not crying, you’re crying,” one commenter wrote. “Happy tears at least.” Another added, “This makes my heart happy,” while many praised the story as a “beautiful” and “happy ending.”
The humane society emphasized the importance of microchipping pets, pointing to Gabby’s return as proof that keeping contact information updated can turn heartbreak into joy. “After 443 days apart, this family got their miracle — and it all started with a microchip,” the shelter said.
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