When rescuers in Florida found a stray cat wandering the streets, they had no idea they were about to set off a heartwarming chain of events.
And it would stretch all the way to New York City.
The cat, a domestic short-haired tabby named Kiwi, was brought to Polk County Animal Control back in mid-March.
At first, she seemed like just another lost cat in need of help, but everything changed when staff scanned her for a microchip.
That tiny chip revealed something incredible, Kiwi had a family who had been missing her for 18 months.
The name that came up was Lourdes Ortiz.
Source: Best Friends Animal Society
When the shelter called her, Ortiz admitted she had “never fully” given up hope of hearing those words.
Kiwi’s story began back in May 2022 when Ortiz adopted her from the very same shelter.
For months, Kiwi lived a happy life with Ortiz and her 13-year-old daughter. She had toys, treats, and even two dog siblings, Logan and Mookska, who adored her.
But in October 2023, their peaceful routine was shattered. Kiwi managed to slip outside and vanished without a trace.
Ortiz and her daughter searched everywhere. They walked the neighborhood, called shelters, and asked anyone they could for help.
But Kiwi was nowhere to be found.
As weeks turned into months, it felt like Kiwi had disappeared completely.
Source: Best Friends Animal Society
Then came another heartbreaking twist.
Ortiz had to make a difficult decision, she moved to New York City to care for a sick relative.
She left Florida with a heavy heart, knowing Kiwi was still missing.
“Leaving Florida without Kiwi was heartbreaking, not only for me, but for my daughter who loved her dearly,” Ortiz shared.
“That was devastating for us. As the months passed, my family and I lost hope. We didn’t know what could have happened.”
For over a year, they feared the worst. But Kiwi’s story was far from over.
In mid-March 2025, Kiwi was found wandering not far from where she had first gone missing.
Source: Best Friends Animal Society
She was safely brought to Polk County Animal Control, and thanks to her microchip, her family was finally found.
Ortiz was overjoyed but there was one big problem. She was now 1,100 miles away in New York and couldn’t just hop on a plane to pick Kiwi up.
That’s when Best Friends Animal Society stepped in.
The national animal welfare organization arranged for Kiwi to make the long journey north.
Soon, Kiwi was on her way to New York City for the reunion of a lifetime.
On April 3, Kiwi and Ortiz finally saw each other again.
The emotional reunion took place at the Best Friends Animal Society in New York, where Ortiz held Kiwi tightly and exclaimed, “I missed you so much! Where did you go?”
The sweetest part? Ortiz’s daughter had no idea Kiwi was coming.
Source: Best Friends Animal Society
She was completely surprised to find her beloved cat waiting for her, ready to go home for good this time.
Kiwi’s return has brought joy not just to Ortiz and her daughter but to Logan and Mookska, the family’s two dogs.
“Kiwi is loved by not only her human family but by her two dog siblings,” Ortiz said. “We are all extremely happy to have our beautiful Kiwi back.”
Best Friends Animal Society called the reunion a perfect example of why microchipping pets is so important.
“Shelters across the country are currently full,” a spokesperson explained.
Source: Best Friends Animal Society
“Microchips and up-to-date ID tags can make all the difference in reuniting pets with their families.”
They encouraged pet owners to get their pets microchipped if they haven’t already. “There are many low-cost microchip clinics across the country,” they added.
“This small step could save your pet’s life and make sure they always find their way home.”
As for Kiwi, her journey from the streets of Florida to the bright lights of New York City is finally over.
After 18 months of waiting, she is back where she belongs, safe, loved, and surrounded by her family.
