Earlier this month, volunteers from the Association of Free Cats in Pertuis, France, responded to a call about a frail, elderly cat found alone in someone’s backyard. He looked exhausted, weak and clearly in need of help.
No one knew where he’d come from — until shelter staff scanned him for a microchip.
That’s when his unbelievable story began to unfold.
The microchip revealed his name: Noel. His age: 20 years old. And his registered home? More than 10,000 miles away on the island of French Polynesia.
Staff suspected Noel had once moved to France with his family but that his owners never updated their contact information.
With no working number to reach, the search for his family became, as shelter president Giulianotto Christine put it, “an investigation worthy of the FBI.”
The shelter posted Noel’s story on Facebook, urging the community to help — and amazingly, it worked. Soon, they located Noel’s dad.
Years ago, Noel’s dad had moved to France with his kitten by his side. But in 2010, Noel disappeared. Despite posters, local searches and countless hours spent looking, Noel never turned up. His dad was heartbroken.
Noel had been missing for 15 long years.
Now, the tiny cat his dad once held was a frail senior nearing the end of his life.
But he wasn't going to spend those final moments alone.
Within hours of learning Noel had been found, his dad rushed over to the shelter. The reunion was quiet but deeply emotional.
“We are convinced that Noel recognized his dad,” Christine said. “He snuggled up to him. It was very moving.”
After so many years apart, Noel finally felt home again.
Just hours later, Noel passed away — peacefully, and with the comfort of knowing he had always been loved.
No one knows what Noel endured during his years on the streets, but Christine hopes his story inspires others to microchip their pets — and keep their information updated.
“We must not forget Noel,” she said, “and make him an ambassador for this cause.”
