LEXINGTON, Ky (LEX 18)– A missing pet is a pet lover’s nightmare, one that a Lexington family experienced years ago, but recently, their missing cat turned up thanks to help from the community and technology.
Ringo the cat went missing more than three years ago. He is friendly, energetic, and a big part of the Lasheen family.
“We looked and looked for days–months actually. Went to other neighborhoods. Put flyers up. Contacted the humane society. Contacted vets. It was as if he just vanished,” said David Lasheen.
Cheryl Lasheen made a post about Ringo on NextDoor.com, a social network for neighborhoods. She received messages from people who thought they saw him, but the tips never led to anything.
For months, Ringo roamed the streets in the Wyndham Downs neighborhood. Neighbors fed him, and about a month ago, a woman took him in.
“She took him to the vet to have him checked out and in that process, because he was a stray, they ran the chip,” said David.
“They called and said, ‘a stray cat’s been brought in and we’ve scanned him and it says it’s Ringo and he belongs to you’,” said Cheryl.
The Lasheens said it didn’t take long from him to get back to his old antics, and they can’t help but wonder what he’s been up to for the past three years.
The Lasheens hope their story will encourage others to bring what looks like stray animals into the vet because they could be someone’s pet. Also, pet owners say putting a microchip in your animal is definitely worth it.
