Submitted by Nancy Hall
(June 17, 2022)—The mystery of the Exit 8 kitty has been solved. She has been returned to her owner, who was shocked and delighted to discover that her cat was alive and well three weeks after wandering away from her home near the Haddam-Chester border.
“A friend called and told me it was on Facebook,” Meagan Miller said. “I looked and said, ‘Oh, my gosh! That’s my cat! There’s no way!’ I was in shock.”
Cotton, as she is called, apparently walked all the way down Cedar Lake and Turkey Hill Roads to the Route 9 underpass where she was found. At first Meagan thought she’d be back, but as time went on she became convinced that the kitty had left to die, as many do.
An area vet described Cotton as about three years old, when in fact she is 16. And she has not, as the vet mistakenly said, been declawed. Meagan said her claws are hard to find because they’re small and hidden by Cotton’s long fur.
The two women exchanged messages and Meagan sent photos and videos that confirmed that the mystery cat was in fact her beloved Cotton. They met earlier this week and Cotton has returned home, where she most likely will not be allowed to roam ever again.
“I couldn’t be more grateful to have her home,” Meagan said, describing Ali as “somebody who cares.”
Her chance encounter with the elderly cat has Ali thinking about becoming licensed as an animal rehabilitator. “It showed that it takes just one person to care and to not give up,” she said.
Photo courtesy of Meagan Miller
