Gironde Fires: Cat Reappears 17 Years After Being Lost, Owner Recognizes Him 'Instantly'

Amidst the widespread devastation of wildfires in Gironde, France, a heartwarming story has emerged: a cat named Mozart, lost 17 years ago, has been found alive. Volunteers engaged in animal rescue efforts discovered the 18-year-old feline in a house in Lège-Cap-Ferret. Elisabeth-Sophie Stevens, Mozart's owner, expressed disbelief and immediate recognition upon seeing the cat. "I recognized him right away. It's unreal," she told Sud-Ouest. Stevens received a call from volunteers on July 25th, who had found Mozart while rescuing animals affected by the fires. Anne-Sophie Juan, one of the volunteers, has been traversing the fire-ravaged areas in her personal vehicle for two weeks, aiming to save as many domestic and wild animals as possible. She was initially asked to retrieve a dog and cat from a home in Lège-Cap-Ferret for an elderly refugee. Upon scanning the cat's microchip, she discovered the owner's name did not match the person who requested the rescue. Further investigation revealed the true owner, Elisabeth-Sophie Stevens, now living near Dijon. Stevens had adopted Mozart when she was a student in Bordeaux. The cat had a habit of disappearing for short periods but had never been gone for so long until 2009. Volunteers believe Mozart may have been taken in by another family initially, without any malicious intent. Mozart is reportedly in good health and will soon be reunited with Stevens, who also has another cat named Gandhi.

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I recognized him right away. It's unreal.