Patches – the Miracle Cat Returns After Missing for Three Years

When the mudslides hit, taking with them many lives and homes, nobody expected a scrappy calico cat to be able to survive the catastrophic event on its own. However, Patches seems to have cashed in on one of her nine lives and reappeared three years later, bringing a bit of what was lost that day back to her family.

How Patches Went Missing

In January of 2018, catastrophic mudslides hit Santa Barbara, California, destroying hundreds of homes and taking 23 human lives. The mudslide demolished the home Patches lived in with her owner, Josie Gower, who unfortunately lost her life in the calamity. Gower’s loved ones, including her partner Norm Borgatello and her daughter, Briana Haigh, believed that Patches could not have possibly survived the mudslides. Oddly enough, years later, Patches was found roaming in the same area where she had gone missing.

The Miraculous Return of the Family Cat

Three years after the catastrophic event that devastated parts of California, the Animal Shelter Assistance Program picked up a stray cat. By reading the implanted microchip, they found out that it was indeed Patches and contacted Briana Haigh to inform her of Patches’ return. She immediately told Borgatello of what had happened. It seems that Patches somehow survived the mudslides and had spent three years wandering the streets before getting rescued. Given the circumstances, Patches’ survival was more than lucky – it was miraculous.

A New Year’s Eve Reunion

Borgatello showed up at the animal shelter to pick up Patches on New Year’s Eve. The staff working there said that Patches recognized Borgatello right away, which led to heartfelt tears throughout the room. Briana Haigh said that Patches returning just before the three-year anniversary of her mother’s passing was like a message from heaven, which warms her heart. She adds that she believes her mother would be really happy to know that Patches was back with family.