How missing cat found after 10 days and why family that rescued Gatsby refused ₹10,000 reward
After ten long days of worry, posters, and prayers, Gatsby, the missing cat, has finally been reunited with his family.
“We are delighted to share that Persian breed Gatsby has been found after ten days. A family in Jamia Nagar approached us to hand over the cat. They had taken great care of Gatsby, who was in good health,” said the cat’s owner, who requested anonymity.
In a social media post, the owner expressed heartfelt gratitude to everyone who helped amplify the missing cat alert, including the OT. “We are thankful to OT for sharing the post and helping in Gatsby’s reunion,” he said.
The beloved pet had gone missing from Okhla earlier this month, leaving the family devastated. Their anxiety turned into joy when a kind-hearted local family, who had found Gatsby wandering in their area, adopted it for days until seeing the missing poster and contacting them.
In a touching act of kindness, the family declined the Rs 10,000 cash reward, saying they were simply happy to help reunite a pet with its family.
The owner, overwhelmed with gratitude, said the family treated Gatsby with such warmth that “he never felt he was in a new home”. A story that began with heartbreak ends with hope, a gentle reminder that compassion still thrives in Okhla.
The cat owner told the OT: “All praise to Allah for this ni’mah in my life. Allah brought him back in the most miraculous way, I couldn’t have been happier! My heartfelt thanks to everyone who stood by me during these trying times; I will always remain grateful. Thank you so much to everyone who amplified the message it truly made a difference.”
It was on October 15 that the OT reported about a missing cat from Okhla. On the same day, another cat and a parrot had also gone missing. The owner, Jiya, said her Persian cat named Gatsby had been missing for two days.
“Your act of kindness can mean a lot to someone. If you have ever lost a pet, you’ll understand this feeling,” she had written in her appeal for help. The family had announced a cash reward of ₹5,000 for anyone who could share information about the missing cat, which had disappeared from their home in Abul Fazal Enclave. Later, they increased the reward to ₹10,000.
For ten days, the family went through immense distress. They approached the local police and even met the area councillor seeking assistance. Despite their tireless search, there was no trace of Gatsby until CCTV footage revealed that the cat had been wandering on the streets, apparently lost and unable to find its way home.
It was then that a boy on a scooter picked up Gatsby, unaware of the widespread search and the reward announcement.
“On the 11th day, it appears that he might have seen the missing post finally and the young boy messaged us. He and his family had taken wonderful care of Gatsby. The boy had found him wandering on the street and taken him home on his scooty. He lived just two mohallas away,” Jiya said, adding that the boy and his family even refused to accept the prize money when offered.
Javed Khan said: “Since the Covid-19 pandemic, many residents have started keeping pets in their flats. Among animals, cats are the most preferred in the locality, partly due to cultural preferences in the Muslim community as pets fulfill our deep need for affection, touch, and trust without the complexities that often accompany human relationships.”
