Cat reunited with its original owners after it was surrendered following Ian

A family is reunited with their beloved cat after seven years, all thanks to a microchip. Capri the cat was taken in by another family who decided to keep her, but they lost their home in Hurricane Ian and were forced to surrender her.

Erin Nardis and her husband’s cat disappeared seven years ago, but they never thought they would be reunited.

“No, especially after this period of time,” said Adam Nardis.

“It’s been seven years. Yeah, it’s a long time,” said Erin Nardis.

But never say never because just seven years later, Capri is back in their arms.

“Shocked like content shock, just with regard to the fact that not to say we gave up on her a long time ago. But seven years is a very, very long time,” said Adam.

If you are wondering where Capri has been for the last seven years, you’re not alone.

Erin said Capri ran off the day they moved into their new home.

“From my understanding. Someone, whoever found her, didn’t realize she was chipped and decided to take her in,” said Erin. “Then apparently, they lost their home in Ian and were forced to surrender her.”

The people who rescued the lost cat all those years ago turned Capri over to Lee County Domestic Animal Services.

That’s just two minutes from the restaurant Erin and Adam own.

As for the people who took in Capri, there are no hard feelings, but Erin does have a message for everyone watching.

“A, microchip your pets. And N, if you find a lost animal, first assume that someone is looking for that and that there’s a home,” said Erin.

If you do find a pet, there is an ordinance in Lee County that requires you to bring in an animal if you can’t find its owner.

In Lee County, if you find a stray animal, you have 24 hours in which to find the owner.

But, “if you cannot locate the owner, you are required to bring them to our facility,” said Lee County Domestic Animal Services spokeswoman Karen Fordiani.

Fordiani said the law is in place because animal services has a lot of resources to find the pet’s owner, including the ability to see if the animal is chipped.

Cases like this one is the exact reason why, Fordiani said.

Erin and Adam have no hard feelings.

“We do not know who the people are. We are very, very grateful. You know, they obviously took very good care of her. She seems like the same cat,” Erin said.