Eric Smith 
Thumper, the cat, disappeared from his household in Maine in Oct. The shaggy brown and white cat experienced been used to coming and heading exterior for the earlier five a long time. Because at their preceding residence, the wide spot authorized for risk-free exploration with his human beings close to. Having said that, his human, Katy Kerry, had lately moved to a non permanent area immediately after providing her household of 10 a long time in Saco. Before long, she planned a even bigger go to Utah.
A few days right after the shift, Thumper snuck away although Kerry carried groceries into the rental residence.
“Unfortunately, it was this like of playing outdoors that led [Thumper] to sneak out the entrance door while my mother was carrying in groceries, and that was the final time we observed him,” Kerry’s daughter Chelsea Tarbox said.
Photographs via WGME13/ Carolyn Meadow and Chelsea Tarbox via Bangor Day-to-day News.
Losing Thumper was devastating. Hoping to come across him, they did almost everything possible, publishing on social media and making flyers. Also, they contacted neighbors, the area animal shelter and informed animal control, reported WGME13. Unfortunately, they do not be aware that Thumper was microchipped.
Now, as Kerry well prepared for a go throughout the region, the women of all ages began to drop hope.
“We bought practically nothing,” Tarbox said. “As time passed the hope that he would return faded and we began to grieve for the loss of our tiny guy.”
By December, the two women of all ages both moved away. When Kerry began a new daily life in Utah, her daughter returned to Boston.
In the meantime, Thumper was alive and effectively and seeking to discover his way to his acquainted household.
Thumper in Shed Cat ad by means of Facebook
Thumper Survives in the Wild
Now, the little cat experienced to endure on his own as he traveled nearly a few miles, returning to Saco. In accordance to Tarbox, he wasn’t a specifically tricky cat, but he managed in some way.
“When he was indoor/out of doors he was a good hunter, but he’s not a rough cat,” Tarbox said. “I do not think I have ever even heard him hiss/growl ahead of.”
As it turns out, Thumper was very resourceful and even experienced some adventures together the way.
Trail cam of Thumper
Path Cam Captures Thumper…and a Creature
The good news is, for Thumper and his human spouse and children, an unseen eye was looking at him just one evening.
Carolyn Meadow of Saco enjoys observing the animals on the trail cam in her backyard. Then, in late November, she saw an unconventional interaction had taken location. There, in the image, was a tiny cat peeking at an approaching creature!
As you can see, it was Thumper on the lookout cautiously at what appeared to be a curious fox. According to a biologist from the Maine Section of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife, foxes really don’t frequently attack household cats.
“Red foxes are opportunistic predators and could kill residence cats, but it is almost certainly not that typical,” stated Shevenell Webb.
“House cats are really able at defending them selves and can climb trees to escape predation,” she mentioned. “The image suggests curiosity from both of those the cat and the fox — neither appears to be alarmed at getting so close to 1 an additional.”
Purple fox by British Wildlife Centre via Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 2.
However, some people today have claimed they think it could possibly be a fisher cat, a massive weasel relative. If so, Thumper was fortunate for the reason that these animals sometimes take in every other and even porcupines. On celebration, they have taken down lynx two times their size and can climb trees.
Fisher cat climbing a tree by way of Wikimedia Commons, Community Area
Fortunately, Thumper fended for himself with the curious creature. As you can see, neither animal appeared intense in the trail cam picture.
Cat Lover Will save Thumper
The moment Meadow, a cat lover, knew the cat was in the spot, she made the decision to consider and aid. So, she put out food, thinking Thumper was likely a feral cat.
Then, the cat proved intrigued in finding closer.
“One evening he ‘talked to me’ and I approached him slowly but surely, crouched down, spoke to him and he arrived above and touched his nose to my hand. This plainly was not the behavior of a feral cat,” Meadow said.
From there, she slowly inspired Thumper right up until ultimately, he was comfortably sitting on her lap. Now, she set out to uncover out who was lacking him. At her sister-in-law’s encouragement, she searched on Facebook. Ultimately, she spotted a lacking cat matching Thumper’s visual appeal posted in Oct.
Before long, Meadow was arranging a check out by Tarbox and a joyful reunion.
A Reunion for Christmas
Just after Tarbox arrived, Thumper read her voice and came jogging.
“He heard my voice as I was speaking with Carolyn, promptly came out of his hiding spot and ran to my ft,” Tarbox claimed. “He enable me scoop him ideal up, and we had a several times of snuggling and purring just before turning all around and heading back again to Boston.”
Tarbox was delighted to obtain Thumper, thanking Carolyn for her endeavours in earning it all possible.
“If I didn’t know he was gone for two months, I would have no idea. Actually the greatest Christmas gift I could have requested for,” Tarbox claimed.
Following the reunion, Tarbox prepared an additional reunion with her mother in January. To start with, they had to perform out the very best way to bring him to Utah. Most likely, he will also get to perform with his small plastic dinosaurs yet again as well? 🦖
Photos via WGME13/ Carolyn Meadow and Chelsea Tarbox via Bangor Daily Information.


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