INDIAN RIVER COUNTY — On Saturday, June 28, at 10 a.m., The Humane Society of Vero Beach and Indian River County (HSVBIRC) reunited Ava, a 2-year-old Tiffany cat, with her Georgia family.
It’s believed the adventurous Ava climbed underneath a vehicle and hitched a 500-mile ride from Atlanta to Florida’s Treasure Coast.
The Humane Society’s Director of Animal Care Maria Ramirez drove Ava back to Georgia and met with Ava’s “mom” Ashley Moore in a Savannah, Ga., parking lot.
“I guess Ava decided to take a vacation in Vero Beach, but I’m so happy she’s finally back with me,” Moore said shortly after the two were reunited.
Brought to the shelter by a kindhearted resident on June 16, Humane Society staff scanned Ava and realized she had a microchip. Unfortunately, the microchip traced back to a disconnected phone number. After doing some detective work, Humane Society staff located an address for Ashley’s father, James, and sent him a letter letting him know Ava was safe at the shelter.
He in turn was able to share the good news with Ashley.
When the family’s arrangements to have Ava transported back to Georgia fell through at the last minute, The Humane Society stepped in to help.
“I’m so happy (The Humane Society) was able to do this,” said Ashley Moore, who never thought she’d see Ava again.
“We were thrilled to find Ava’s family and reunite them,” said Maria Ramirez, the shelter’s Director of Animal Care. “Ava’s story has such a happy ending that we hope it will encourage other pet parents to microchip and ID their own pets and make certain their contact information is always kept up to date.”
