Woman reunites with her missing cat after 13 years, only to realize she'd come to say goodbye

In 2012, Jade Yhnell, a veterinary nurse, faced her biggest heartbreak when Minx, the cat she had hand-reared from birth, went missing from her home in Bristol. Despite relentless searching, Jade couldn't find her baby. However, in 2025, a call from the Fishguard Veterinary Services changed everything. They informed Jade that a kind stranger had brought in a stray cat, but thanks to the microchip, the clinic immediately recognized Minx and tracked her rightful owner just in time.

Jade was beyond elated, and why not? It had been 13 years since she had last seen Minx, and she had perhaps given up on hopes of ever meeting her beloved cat. So, shortly after the call, the nurse rushed to get her baby girl home. "Jade made the 2.5-hour journey to be reunited with her girl, and yes, there were tears," Vets Now, the clinic she worked for, shared in a Facebook post. Minx had a tough life after she went missing, but she immediately recognized Jade the minute she arrived. "She was in a really bad way, but she recognized me immediately. She was headbutting me and purring. I was a mess, as you can imagine. She was exactly the same with my husband. She was so excited to see him," Jade shared with Western Telegraph. 

Sadly, the happiness was short-lived, as Minx was diagnosed with cancer. Jade eventually lost her baby to the deadly disease at the age of 18, but the clinic said, "Her final weeks were filled with love, cuddles, and the comfort of being with her family once more." Though for a short period, Minx, at least, spent her final moments in peace, back with her family, who loved her to bits. Unlike her, many pet owners who lose their fur balls are forced to live without them forever. In fact, according to the Animal Humane Society, one in three pets goes missing in their lifetime, and that means nearly 10 million pets go missing each year in the U.S. alone.

Meanwhile, Jade Yhnell's bittersweet reunion with her cat, Minx, received an outpouring of love on social media. For instance, Chrissy McGarvey commented, "What a lovely but bittersweet story to hear. So pleased that Minx got home with her family. Even if it was a short time, she knew she was loved right until the end." Similarly, a person, Gaby Beattie, said, "Aww, she went home to her mom for her last days. Heartbreaking, but I’m so glad that she wasn’t on the streets alone but that she was surrounded by love."

Another user who goes by Kirsty Leslie wrote, "I'm a great believer that everything happens for a reason. Minx was clearly meant to come home and spend her last few weeks with those who loved her most. Love always finds a way." Echoing the sentiments, Mel Pegler, who had a similar story, shared, "My boy came home last summer when a vet called after someone took him in as a possible stray; after seven years lost, he sadly passed away a couple of weeks later from very poor kidneys, but I'm so glad he found his way home for some love and closure. It was obviously meant to be. The worst thing was always not knowing. Fly high, Shorty. It was a privilege to know and to love you, little dude!" Michelle Gunn recalled, "Wow! Beautiful reunion. My girl went missing for 5 weeks, and those were the worst 5 weeks. Luckily, I got her back, and she hasn't gone anywhere since. I truly believe, Never give up!"

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