Lost for Five Years, Doudou the Cat Finally Reunites with His Family

🕗 News Published on

28 Oct 2025

Thomas

Doudou, a nine-year-old cat missing since 2020, has been reunited with his foster family after five long years of wandering. Thanks to his microchip—and the vigilance of the SPA of Haguenau—this extraordinary reunion shows why identification and networks like Pet Alert are vital for lost animals.

Doudou the Cat Reunited with Family After 5 Years Lost

Five Years of Silence

Adopted in 2016 from the SPA of Haguenau, Doudou vanished in 2020, leaving his foster family heartbroken. Many had feared he would never return. But in recent months, residents of Betschdorf, a small town in the Bas-Rhin, noticed a stray cat roaming their neighborhood.

The cat looked neglected, with large matted clumps of fur on his back that could have caused painful skin infections. A local SPA foster family set a humane trap to catch him, planning to take him to the vet for care.

That decision changed everything.

The Surprise of Recognition

At the veterinary clinic, a quick scan revealed the cat was microchipped. The database confirmed what nobody expected: this was Doudou, declared missing since 2020.

“When we realized it was Doudou, we knew it was an incredible story,” said Carole-Anne Faes of the SPA. “At first, his family was shocked. But once he was in their arms, it was all cuddles and joy.”

According to the SPA, after the initial disbelief, the family was “overjoyed” to welcome him back home.

The Power of Microchipping

This story highlights the life-saving importance of identification. In France, microchipping is not only mandatory but also the only official link between an animal and its owner.

In 2024 alone, 6,653 lost cats were reunited with their families thanks to identification, according to the national barometer. While that number represents only 10.6% of declared losses, it shows that identification can turn even the most unlikely disappearance into a miracle reunion.

For cats, the stakes are particularly high: they represent 76% of all reported lost pets in France. Without a microchip, Doudou might never have found his way home.

Pet Alert: A Crucial Ally in Lost Pet Cases

While microchips provide the legal and veterinary connection, visibility is equally important when a pet goes missing. That’s where networks like Pet Alert play a vital role. With dedicated Facebook pages and online platforms covering every French département, Pet Alert ensures missing pet notices reach tens of thousands of people within hours.

By combining identification with the community power of Pet Alert, the chances of finding a lost pet—whether in days, months, or even years—rise dramatically.

Doudou’s story is proof: hope should never be abandoned.