Puss in the Corner

In mid-July, someone brought a stray calico into the Tooele City Animal Shelter. They’d been feeding the cat at least a decade, but they were moving and afraid the kitty might starve. The shelter scanned for a microchip and discovered the cat’s name was Mocha. She’d been missing since 2007. Mocha’s owner was in high school when her cat disappeared. She’d searched for a long time, but eventually came to the conclusion her pet was no longer living. She’s overjoyed that she and Mocha get to spend what’s left of Mocha’s life together. It’s not unusual for an indoor cat to live 17+ years, while outdoor cats seldom see more than five. A happy ending, to be sure. But how sad this person fed a stray for so long without reporting it. Mocha might have known safety and love her WHOLE life, instead of just the last few years. This is exactly why harboring a stray is a crime.