A beloved Victoria cat initially believed to be stolen, then missing, has finally been reunited with her owner.
Penelope, a black cat with a small white patch on its stomach, is well-known in the Vancouver Street and Caledonia Avenue area for greeting people who walk by.
She caused her many admirers alarm, however, when she went missing from her home on April 26.
Penelope was initially reported as stolen, with video surfacing showing what appeared to be a cat-napping near Royal Athletic Park.
However, police later confirmed a cat seen being walked on a leash in that surveillance video was not actually Penelope, and that the cat was just missing and not stolen.
On Friday morning, Penelope brought an end to the purr-lific saga when she turned about on her owner’s front porch as though nothing had ever happened.
“I opened the door to go outside with a cup of coffee and an armful of work. I heard the cat, she just popped up behind me, I was so shocked,” said her owner, Jacqueline Van Huizen.
The cat didn’t appear malnourished or mangy, leading Van Huizen to suspect someone out there was looking out for her.
“She was well taken care of while she was away, but we’re happy she’s home,” she said. “She’s looking great, she’s napping right now after her adventure.”
Penelope is also considered to be the Victoria HarbourCats honourary “Harbour Cat” because she often visits the baseball team’s office in the summer.
Her safe return will no doubt be met with relief by her extended family.
“Just super happy. The family is really happy she’s home,” said Van Huizen.
Jeff Lawrence
