Meta Description: Moose, an “adventure cat” from San Diego, went missing for 45 days. Thanks to cameras, traps, and unwavering hope, she was finally reunited with her family.

The Heart-Stopping Moment Every Pet Parent Fears

Last month, Teagan Maddux faced every pet owner’s nightmare. While traveling in Colorado, she got the call that her beloved cat, Moose, had escaped from her parents’ home in San Diego.

“Moose got accidentally let [out] by the dog, who opened the door from the outside — complete freak accident,” Maddux explained.

The very next day, Maddux flew back to California, uncertain if she would ever see her cat again.

“It sounds a little dramatic, but I think this could easily be one of the worst weeks of my life so far,” she said. “If you’ve ever lost a pet, you know how difficult it is.”

From Shelter Cat To Adventure Cat

Moose’s disappearance was especially heartbreaking because of her unique bond with Maddux.

When Moose was just a kitten, she had been overlooked for weeks at a Santa Cruz animal shelter. Shy and scared, no one wanted to adopt her — until Maddux came along.

“[She was] the scaredest cat in the whole place,” Maddux recalled.

But once Moose came home, her personality blossomed. She soon embraced her family’s adventurous lifestyle, joining Maddux and her partner, Casey, on camping and outdoor trips. It wasn’t long before they affectionately called her their “adventure cat.”

A 45-Day Search Filled With Hope and Heartbreak

When Moose went missing, Maddux and Casey put everything on hold to bring her home. For 45 long days, they tried every trick in the book:

• Setting up humane traps with food

• Placing Moose’s litter box and dirty laundry outside to attract her scent

• Installing cameras near the traps to monitor any movement

For weeks, they caught glimpses of Moose on camera, but she never got close enough to be rescued. The uncertainty was emotionally exhausting.

“We’ve seen her on camera a few times over the last few weeks, but we haven’t come close enough to actually see her in person,” Maddux said.

After 12 days without a single sighting, Maddux began to lose hope.

The Birthday Miracle

Just when despair was setting in, something incredible happened. On the night of Moose’s 2nd birthday, one of the traps finally worked.

Maddux rushed outside to find her missing cat safely inside.

“At first, she was disoriented, but when she realized she was safe, she melted,” Maddux said. “After a minute, she snapped out of feral mode, and she remembered who we were. She can’t stop purring, and I’ve never seen her so tired.”

Back Home Where She Belongs

Though Moose returned with fleas and had lost some weight, she was finally safe. Maddux is confident her cat will recover quickly with love, rest, and care.

“Everything makes sense again,” Maddux shared.

Moose has already resumed her role as the family’s adventure cat — but this time, she’ll be watched even more closely.

Lessons From Moose’s Story

Moose’s journey is a powerful reminder of the resilience of cats, the importance of persistence when a pet goes missing, and the unbreakable bond between humans and their animals.

Her story also highlights practical steps for finding a lost cat: using scent items, setting humane traps, and installing cameras can make all the difference.

After 45 days of worry, Moose is finally back where she belongs — safe, loved, and ready for new adventures with her family.