"He Snuggled Against My Neck": Family Reunites with Cat After Eleven Years
In a heartwarming tale from Saint-Denis-les-Bourg (France), a family recently reunited with their cat, Garfield, who had been missing for 11 years. The incredible story, first reported by Le Progrès on January 13, 2025, has captured the hearts of animal lovers everywhere.
In 2014, Garfield, a young feline, disappeared shortly after being adopted by a family living in Bourg-en-Bresse. Despite extensive searches, Garfield remained elusive—until now.

Rediscovery Through Social Media
Garfield’s return was made possible thanks to a local resident who alerted an animal protection group, Le Clan Fel’Ain. The cat’s microchip confirmed his identity, and the organization reached out to his original owners through social media.
A Life Lived in the Wild
For over a decade, Garfield lived as a stray near his family’s former home, surviving with the help of kind neighbors who provided food. Remarkably, he stayed close to the area where he had initially gone missing.
"When I held him in my arms, he snuggled against my neck," Garfield’s owner shared with local media, describing the emotional reunion. Now back in Saint-Denis-les-Bourg, Garfield is adapting to his old family and a new feline housemate.
A Testament to Microchipping
This extraordinary reunion underscores the importance of microchipping pets. Without it, Garfield’s identity might never have been confirmed, and he might never have found his way back to the family who loves him.