Cat travels across France to return home
A cat traveled across France to return to her old home. The extraordinary journey demonstrates the remarkable sense of orientation these animals possess.
A cat traveled more than 600 kilometers to her old home – a full 13 months later.
Laëtitia De Amicis moved with her family and three cats a year ago for professional reasons, leaving the Orne region of France.
At their new home in Normandy, the family took great care to keep Felys, Crapaud and Cocci indoors, fearing they might get lost in unfamiliar surroundings.
Three months of unsuccessful searching
But in August 2021, Cocci went missing. The worried family, with two teenage children, had spent three months searching for Cocci without success.
To avoid upsetting her children, Laëtitia told them she thought Cocci had probably gone home to look for them in Ambly – without believing for even a second that this could be true.
As it turned out, a stranger found a stray cat more than 600 kilometers away, just five miles from their former home.
Recognition thanks to Facebook
On 2 October, Laëtitia saw a post on Facebook about a cat that had been found in Souilly, and she immediately recognized her – even though she “looked completely different.”
The adventurous cat was taken to the local vet, who confirmed that the missing animal was 10 years old and neutered, just like Cocci.
Photos were exchanged and Laëtitia asked her father to identify her. He hesitated, as he did not think it possible that a cat had actually traveled across the country, but ultimately agreed.
“When he called me that day, I saw my father on the video call stroking my cat,” said Laëtitia.
He tried calling the cat by various names, but she only responded to Cocci.
Reunited after 13 months
“I was together with my daughter. She saw her and recognized her and burst into tears.”
«My son was very skeptical until we picked her up. But when we arrived, she recognized us immediately.»
Cocci stayed at the vet for three weeks before the family was allowed to take her home. She weighed less than one kilogram, had fleas and worms, and an infection on her face.
«Since we brought her home, everything has been going well», says Cocci's owner. «She has settled back in nicely and is very affectionate.» More stories from the animal world show the remarkable abilities of our animal companions.
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