On New Year's Eve the shelter was set to close at noon, giving the staff of the Chemung County Humane Society & SPCA a chance to spend some time with their friends and family. However, the day before, a woman called and said she had a stray cat to bring in the next day. Her husband worked in Ithaca and did not get out of work until noon on Thursday. She was unable to bring the cat in until then. We told her that we would stay later to make sure the cat would be well cared for.

When the cat arrived at the shelter we checked the list of lost animals that we compile from public callers. There was a 15-year-old cat that had been missing for more than a month that matched the description of the cat that had just been brought in. When we called the owner listed on the lost report and asked if her cat had come home yet, the woman reported the cat was still missing. We then told her that a cat had just been brought in that matched the description of her lost cat. Excitedly, the woman assured us she'd be right over.

Upon hearing that the stray cat may have an owner, the people who brought the cat in decided to stay to see the happy reunion. When the woman arrived, she instantly recognized the cat as hers, even though it had lost a considerable amount of weight during its month-long journey. This was a perfect way to end 2009 and welcome in 2010!

May the New Year bring us many happy reunions, adoptions and the continued support of our community. Without their support, we would not be able to do what we do.