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Missing Cat Returns After 6 Months—But Real Shock Comes 1 Year Later

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A cat that vanished for a year has stunned its owner by returning home—only to discover another identical-looking cat already living there.

In a viral TikTok video shared by owner Angia (@angia_v), the two felines stare at each other as if looking in a mirror, earning 1.4 million views.

Text over the December 11 clip explains: “When you lose your cat and someone finds him six months later, only for your real cat to show up a full year after that.

The Animal Humane Society estimates that one in three pets will go missing in their lifetime—around 10 million each year in the U.S.—and not all make it home. In this case, Angia’s cat and another gray lookalike both ended up at her house, sparking humorous reactions online.

One user said they are “screaming fraud at each other.”

Another quipped, “Identity theft is not a joke,” and others shared similar experiences of mistaken feline identity.

They said: “This happened to my sister. Her black cat disappeared a year ago then she got a new black cat then last summer the cat that ran off came back now she has [two] black cats.”

Some commenters have shared their concerns. “What if there is another family out there missing their gray cat and thought yours was theirs… now you have yours AND theirs,” asked a fourth user.

Another video shared by Angia shows the pair mirroring each other’s posture, separated by mere feet, their wide-eyed stare suggesting mutual shock.

What to Do When a Cat Goes Missing

Cats Protection, the UK’s leading feline welfare charity, explains that cats often vanish due to stress at home, illness, being trapped in sheds or garages, or simply roaming too far. Unneutered cats may wander in search of mates, while indoor cats can become disoriented if they escape.

Most cats stay within a few miles, but some have been known to roam up to 80 miles. Thanks to strong homing instincts—using smell, memory, and possibly Earth’s magnetic field—many eventually return, even after months or years.

For owners distressed by a missing pet, the charity offers these essential tips:

  • Search close to home: Check cupboards, sheds, garages, and appliances.
  • Call and entice: Use familiar smells like bedding or clothing.
  • Alert the community: Ask neighbors and share photos.
  • Use technology: Update microchip details and notify registries.
  • Spread the word: Post on social media, lost-and-found sites, and put up flyers.

Newsweek reached out to @angia_v for comment via TikTok. We could not verify the details of the case.



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