A Langley cat returned home after 490 days B次元官网网址� the owner thanking community Facebook groups for the B次元官网网址渕iracle.B次元官网网址�

Finley, a feral cat, was found in a forest in Willoughby on Dec. 17, after a Langley resident found him looking for food during the harsh winter season.

Andy Evans, the catB次元官网网址檚 owner, began distributing missing posters three days after Finley ran away from the house back in August.

After 10 months of fruitless searching, Evans finally got a lead B次元官网网址� a Facebook post with details about FinleyB次元官网网址檚 whereabouts. The cat had been spotted by a member of the community in a forest not far from EvansB次元官网网址� home.

Evans rushed to the forest but couldnB次元官网网址檛 catch Finley B次元官网网址� who he said was too terrified.

Sarah Jones, executive director of Langley Animal Protection Society (LAPS), said it is tough to rebuild trust with a cat after such a long period of time.

B次元官网网址淵ou never know what the cat has gone through during the period when they are on their own, and hence they might not trust people right away,B次元官网网址� Jones said.

Evans later hired a professional company to set up traps and cameras in the forest.

B次元官网网址淚 spent a fortune on that,B次元官网网址� he said. But, all his efforts went in vain.

He received several more leads on locations of the cat through social media. Evans even drove to the forest after midnight once, but he believes Finley was too scared and didnB次元官网网址檛 trust anyone.

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About 14 months later, Evans received a phone call B次元官网网址� a Willoughby resident was able to lure the cat into his home by offering food.

Evans B次元官网网址� overjoyed with happiness B次元官网网址� drove straight to Finley.

It has been more than a month since FinleyB次元官网网址檚 homecoming, and Evans said the cat has not gone out even once since then.

B次元官网网址淚 donB次元官网网址檛 think he has anything to do with outside anymore after living for so long in the forest,B次元官网网址� he added.

While many people have found their pets after months of searching, LAPSB次元官网网址� Jennifer Schroeder was surprised to learn about the 490-day-long search effort.

B次元官网网址淲hat? Wow! that is amazing,B次元官网网址� said Schroeder.

B次元官网网址淲e have found that many people who lose their cats donB次元官网网址檛 microchip or tattoo them, which makes it harder to trace [the cats] back,B次元官网网址� she added.

Schroeder further encouraged people with missing pets to call LAPS to file a lost report. She noted the Aldergrove-based organization has a well-connected network that can help pet owners try to find their loved ones.

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Jones also requested people to reach LAPS if they find a stray cat or dog.

B次元官网网址淲e had a case recently where somebody had taken in a lost cat and didnB次元官网网址檛 report [it]. People need to understand that lost pets need to be returned to their rightful owners and it is important that people use proper resources,B次元官网网址� she elaborated.

Evans was surprised by how social media users came forward to help him.

B次元官网网址淚t was a team effort,B次元官网网址� he said. Evans believes that finding his cat without the help of the neighbourhood Facebook groups would have been an uphill battle.

B次元官网网址淭his was something postive that happened amidst all the negativity that is usually seen on social media,B次元官网网址� he added.

To report missing pets, people can reach out to LAPS at 604-857-5055.