After Four Years Apart, Volusia County Woman is Reunited with the Cat She Bottle-Fed as a Kitten

Posted On: November 20, 2025

Just weeks after helping reunite a Mississippi dog with her family five years after she disappeared, Volusia County Animal Services has made another remarkable reunion possible — this time for a Volusia County resident whose cat vanished more than four years ago.

Jessica Buchanan first met Precious when she was a tiny kitten in need of care. Buchanan initially planned only to foster her, bottle-feeding her through those early weeks, but she quickly grew attached and adopted her permanently. Sadly, about a year later, the indoor cat disappeared shortly after Buchanan returned home from a brief hospital stay. Despite months of searching and hoping for a break, she eventually accepted that her companion was gone.

The path back home began when a resident, who had been feeding a friendly outdoor cat visiting her property, brought the animal to Volusia County Animal Services earlier this week to participate in the division’s Trap-Neuter-Release (TNR) program. As with every unclaimed animal entering the shelter, Animal Services staff conducted a routine microchip scan — a simple step that often changes everything. When the scanner beeped, the staff immediately knew they had found a lead. The microchip revealed Buchanan’s contact information, providing the first clear link to the cat’s identity.

Staff immediately contacted Buchanan, who described Precious perfectly. After more than four years of wondering and hoping, she finally had the answer she never expected: Precious was alive and well. Earlier today, Buchanan traveled to the Volusia County Animal Shelter to be reunited with Precious and take her home once again.

Volusia County Animal Services encourages all pet owners to microchip their pets and ensure their contact information is kept up to date. Unlike traditional collars, microchips provide permanent identification and significantly increase the chances of a safe reunion when a pet becomes lost. The division’s TNR program helps reduce the outdoor cat population. Once brought to the clinic, staff provides spay or neuter services, vaccinations, and then returns the cats to the original location — helping control population growth and support healthier neighborhoods.