Cat reunited with Des Moines owner after nearly 5-year absence

DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) - A cat named Lottie has been reunited with his Des Moines owners just in time for Christmas after he went missing nearly five years ago.

The Des Moines Register reports that 37-year-old Kara Hanlon figured the cat had died until she got a letter in the mail saying otherwise.

The Animal Rescue League’s animal control division had picked up Lottie and identified him by scanning his microchip. She got him back Monday.

Hanlon described it as a “Christmas miracle,” noting that the last picture she snapped of the cat was taken in 2015 while he sat in a Christmas gift bag.