ANIMAL COMPANIONS
Microchip ID helps reunite family with 'Freddie,' the long-lost feline

Hawaiian Humane Society

The Hawaiian Humane Society has many happy lost and found stories, but the story of Freddie the cat stands out.

Andrea Hinkle, with father Sgt. 1st Class Gregory Hinkle, and brother Trevon, 5, shows off the letter from the Humane Society. Hawaiian Humane Society photo

The Hinkle family received the letter at the house that they had moved to just two weeks before. They were shocked to receive it.

"When my daughter Andrea was not yet 3 years old, we adopted the female black cat from the Humane Society and Andrea named her Freddie," Hinkle said. "They were best buddies until Freddie didn't come home one day in 1998. We filed a lost report but the cat was never found. Then we were stationed on the Mainland for several years, only recently returning to base housing at Aliamanu just around the corner from our previous address. The mail was forwarded so we got the news that Freddie was found — three years later. We were all so excited, but especially my daughter."

The Hinkles immediately visited the Humane Society to see if it really was the same Freddie. When 8-year-old Andrea called the cat's name, Freddie rolled upside down and meowed.

"Andrea never forgot Freddie and they have picked right up where they left off," Hinkle said. "Now Freddie ventures out into the yard but doesn't go far."

Only the microchip ID made this story possible. A collar and tag would have been lost, but the microchip, put under the skin between the animal's shoulder blades, works for the life of the pet.

Microchip IDs are available, without appointment, for $5 at the Humane Society today only between 8:30 a.m. and 4 p.m.

Pet owners can also make appointments with participating clinics.