Maryland Family Reunited with Cat Missing for 5 Years

Artemis the cat was found in an unfinished basement and returned to his overjoyed owners.

Mar. 21, 2026 at 8:54pm

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A Maryland family was miraculously reunited with their long-lost cat Artemis, who had been missing for five years. The indoor-outdoor feline left the Hickory home in September 2021 and never returned. When Artemis was brought to the Harford County Humane Society, his microchip led them to contact the Garci family, who were overjoyed to be reunited with their beloved pet.

Why it matters

This heartwarming story highlights the importance of microchipping pets and the joy that can come from being reunited with a lost furry friend after many years. It also demonstrates the dedication of animal shelters in working to connect lost pets with their rightful owners.

The details

Artemis, an indoor-outdoor cat, left the Garci family's home in Hickory, Maryland in September 2021 and never returned. The family, consisting of mother Melissa and daughter Brooke, desperately searched for their lost pet, posting flyers around the neighborhood. Years later, Artemis was found in an unfinished basement and brought to the Harford County Humane Society in Fallston, just over 7 miles away. When the shelter scanned Artemis' microchip, it led them to the Garci family's contact information, allowing for the miraculous reunion.

  • Artemis went missing from the Garci family home in Hickory, Maryland in September 2021.
  • Artemis was found and brought to the Harford County Humane Society in Fallston in March 2026, over 5 years later.

The players

Artemis

An indoor-outdoor cat who went missing from the Garci family home in 2021 and was miraculously reunited with his owners 5 years later.

Melissa and Brooke Garci

The mother and daughter who owned Artemis and were overjoyed to be reunited with their long-lost pet.

Harford County Humane Society

The animal shelter that scanned Artemis' microchip and contacted the Garci family, facilitating the reunion.

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What they’re saying

“I posted them around the neighborhood, rolled them up, and put them in people's doors, knocked, and got nothing.”

— Melissa Garci, Artemis' owner

“This woman answered, 'Hello?' And we said we have your cat, and she was unbelieving. And she said, 'Are you sure? My cat has been missing for five years.'”

— Erin Long, Harford County Humane Society

“He kind of walked out of the kennel and looked at them and went right over and was rubbing on them, got in mom's lap, got in daughter's lap. It was a beautiful thing.”

— Erin Long, Harford County Humane Society

“I was like, I couldn't cry yet because I was in disbelief, but when I saw her, I was like, 'Omg, she looks exactly the same.'”

— Brooke Garci, Artemis' owner

What’s next

The Garci family plans to throw a special homecoming celebration for Artemis to welcome him back after his 5-year absence.

The takeaway

This heartwarming reunion story underscores the importance of microchipping pets and the dedication of animal shelters in reuniting lost pets with their owners, even after many years. It serves as an inspiring reminder of the enduring bond between people and their beloved animal companions.