Owners shocked as they’re reunited with cat after 3,400km five-year trip
Sasha the cat hadn’t been seen by his owners in five years after a long walk meant that he didn’t come home.
However, in a surprise twist, they are set to be reunited this week as the adventurous cat went on a shocking 3,400km journey from their home in Portland, Oregon. This means that Sasha was found in Santa Fe, which is in the US’s far south.
His owner, Vicktor Usov had figured that a coyote had gotten to Sasha five years ago.
“We waited a week or so,” Mr Usov said to The Oregonian.
“But when we didn’t get a call from the Humane Society and no one returned him, we figured a coyote got him. We were upset but we moved on.”
However, a phone call from an animal shelter in Santa Fe turned around Usov’s day.
"We have this long-haired black cat ... it's attached to your name on its microchip," the voice on the line said.
The animal shelter officer that found Sasha said that they were lucky he was microchipped as it could be proved he belonged to Portland resident Viktor Usov.
It appears that Sasha was less than thrilled when he was picked up.
"He was very mad when we picked him up," said Murad Kirdar of the Santa Fe Animal Shelter to KGW. "He's not skinny ... definitely been eating."
Usov is thrilled for his return, although he’s unsure as to how Sasha got more than 3,400kms away.
"He went on a grand American adventure," Usov said. "He stopped by the Grand Canyon, Crater Lake, he saw the monuments, all the national parks, definitely Redwood Forest."
Usov also reminisced on quirks of Sasha after adopting him from the Humane Society in Oregan.
"He'd always greet you at the door with his little tail wagging," said Usov. "Loved his belly scratched."
"I will recognise him for sure," Usov said.
Sasha is currently on a flight home to Portland, where the pair will be reunited.