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| Hercules, a fluffly, white cat like the one shown here, traveled 700 miles over five years. |
Scanning cats and dogs for microchip identification is routine procedure with Fort Worth Animal Control employees, even if the animal has no visible identification. When an employee scanned a fluffy white cat for identification last week, however, he was surprised to see a St. Louis address appear on the scanner, the Fort Worth CBS 11 News reports.
The white cat was Hercules, a former resident of the Open Door Animal Sanctuary located outside of St. Louis. Hercules was adopted by an elderly woman nine years ago, but was reported missing by his owner five years ago, according to sanctuary owner Tracie Quackenbush. “Five years ago it bolted out the door and she hadn’t seen it since,” she said.
If Hercules could talk, he could explain how he traveled 700 miles over five years to end up in Fort Worth. The most likely explanation is that the cat was found and taken in by a new family in St. Louis, who then moved to Fort Worth, taking the cat with them. Hercules probably made another dash out the door and then was picked up by animal control. Whatever the case, Hercules will return to the Open Door Animal Sanctuary, bringing his journey full circle.