Warren Cat, Family Reunited After Missing For 3 Months

WARREN, NJ — Using tips and tricks from the community and their Ring Camera, Warren resident Brionna Paltan and her mom Missy Oliver were able to lure their missing kitty back home. Now Paltan is hoping to help others keep hope and to find their missing pets.

Paltan and her mom have two cats, Penny and Pia. Penny was a feral kitten they rescued at three months old from St. Hubert's Animal Welfare Center. They only had Penny for five months when she escaped.

It was on Wednesday, April 7, when Pia used her claw to open a back screendoor in an effort to sunbathe. However, Pia's efforts left an opportunity for Penny to escape.

"Penny just darted out," said Paltan. "We did everything we could to get her back."

Paltan immediately joined multiple social media Facebook groups to share photos of Penny, she put up flyers around town and even set up a Ring security camera in the backyard.

Several community members offered helpful tips to try and lure Penny back home. Most of the suggestions had to do with scent, they included leaving Penny's or Pia's litterbox outside, leaving stinky food such as sardines or heated up wet cat food, leaving Paltan's or her mom's clothing outside, and even setting up a Havahart trap.

As time went on the family was heartbroken including Pia.

"It was awful. I am working remotely so it was awful to see Pia. She would go in closets, her temperament was very anxious and she was just pacing around the house looking for her," said Paltan. "She was crying a bit and on edge."

The Ring camera was especially helpful as Paltan was able to track Penny's movements. Paltan called it her "Penny Tracker" and was able to see she did return home about 12 times in total in three months. However, each time Penny came by it would be between 1 to 3 a.m. and she was able to get away.

"I thought I am not giving up, I will never lose faith and just have to keep trying everything because the Ring camera helped to track her pattern," said Paltan.

Eventually, Penny was lured into the trap which was covered in the family's clothing and had food inside. Penny came home on Wednesday, July 7 — exactly 3 months to the day when she went missing.

Oliver found Penny in the trap first around 5 a.m. and called for Paltan.

"I immediately ripped off my blanket and ran downstairs," said Paltan. "She wanted food first and was crying in distress. We were so hysterical and just trying to keep calm so she didn't get upset. But within a week she acclimated back to her roots."

Oliver took Penny to the vet who came back with a clean bit of health, aside from being a bit more skinny.

"I could feel her ribs but aside from that she really didn't look like she was outdoors," said Paltan. "I wish they could talk, so I could ask her where was she hiding, what she was doing all this time."

A positive note of this adventure is Penny is no longer skittish. When Paltan and her mom adopted her it was hard for Penny to accept love. Now she is happy to be loved and pet.

Paltan's message to other - "Never give up hope."

Have a news tip? Email alexis.tarrazi@patch.com.

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