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Penny, aka Joey
For the second time since it opened in late May, the SPCA Annex at The Shops at Ithaca Mall has reunited a cat with its guardians. The first time, a picture of a cat featured in Tailbearer attracted the attention of his owner. This time, Penny was at the Annex (after a month spent at the SPCA’s Dorothy and Roy Park Pet Adoption Center), waiting for a new home. A member of the Rodgers family of Ithaca saw her distinctive markings and brought the whole family in to take Penny, whose real name turned out to be Joey, home.

The family reports that Joey, who has been in the family for about 14 years, is doing well, roaming the neighborhood again, and enjoying being a very successful hunter. She means a lot to the family who were devastated when Joey disappeared. They thought she had gone off to die. Fortunately, she had been brought to the SPCA as a stray, and without a collar or a microchip, her owner could not be located. The Rodgers are thrilled to have Joey home again—and now she is microchipped.

"Outdoor cats can present special difficulties," commented Executive Director Abigail Smith.  "Kind-hearted people sometimes bring in stray cats, only to find out later that the cat lived just one or two blocks away. Break-away collars with up-to-date tags and microchips will help us return many more cats to their homes. And I urge members of the community to call us if their cat is missing. The shelter takes in nearly 2,000 cats and kittens a year and only a handful is reunited with their families."

A few tips for cat guardians, and for people who find ‘stray’ cats:

  • Make sure your cat is ALWAYS up-to-date on rabies and other vaccinations
  • Your cat – indoor or out – should always have identification tags, and for extra safety a microchip
  • If your cat has a collar on, it likely won’t be scooped up and thought to be a stray
  • If you find a cat in your yard, and she seems healthy and well-fed, she may just be visiting – don’t rush to call the SPCA unless she is injured or unwell
  • Always call the SPCA if your pet is missing!

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