Dodger, a family cat who went missing during a move from California to Florida, has been reunited with his owners in Georgia after more than seven years. The reunion was made possible by a microchip that identified the cat and led to a cross-country journey.
How Dodger Went Missing
Amber Davidson-Orozco and her sons adopted Dodger from Miss Winkles Pet Adoption Center in Clovis, California, in 2016. The cat, named after the Los Angeles Dodgers baseball team, quickly became a beloved family member. In late 2018, after the sudden death of the children's father, the family decided to move to Florida. A friend was entrusted to transport Dodger along with their belongings, but the cat escaped from the vehicle and disappeared.
Years of Wondering
For years, the family wondered what had happened to Dodger. "We always thought about him," Davidson-Orozco said. The family later moved to Calhoun, Georgia, north of Atlanta, but never stopped hoping for Dodger's return.
The Discovery
In February, a stray cat was found in Madera, California, about 31 miles from Clovis. The cat was brought to Fresno Trap and Release (TNR) for neutering and vaccination. Veterinarians discovered that the cat was already neutered and had a microchip. A scan revealed the cat belonged to Davidson-Orozco's family.
The Reunion Journey
Sydney Sherman, who runs Fresno TNR with her mother, contacted Davidson-Orozco. Sherman offered to bring Dodger with her when she flew to Florida for a wedding in late March. Despite never having flown with a cat before, Sherman managed the trip smoothly. Davidson-Orozco's family drove seven hours from Calhoun to meet Sherman at 5 a.m. to pick up Dodger.
Settling Back In
Davidson-Orozco said Dodger still responds to his name and allows her sons to flip him playfully over their shoulders. "Oh, he's there. That super sweet, cuddly, social temperament is still there," she remarked. The reunion brought healing for the family, especially for her sons, who were eight and five when Dodger vanished. "It's full circle – losing all your stuff and belongings while having to move, losing your dad, and you get this back," she said.
Importance of Microchipping
Davidson-Orozco urged pet owners to microchip their animals. "When you get an animal, you're obviously not thinking of anything going wrong or anything like that. But things happen. Situations happen," she said. The microchip was crucial in reuniting Dodger with his family after seven years.
