'Never imagined we would see him again': Four years ago Archimedes vanished in Queensland. He's just been reunited with his family on the other side of the country
A beloved cat missing for four years has been found 2500km away from where he vanished in Queensland.
Owner Daniel was shocked to hear his 10-year-old feline was alive and well after a thorough and desperate search for Archimedes four years ago.
"We never imagined we would see him again," Daniel tells 9honey. "We looked for him but eventually gave him up for dead."
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Cat Archimedes is back home with his family after going missing for four years in Queensland. Supplied/AWLQ
Daniel's search for Archimedes, who went missing from their South East Queensland property, included flyers, reaching out on social media and locally in the community but there was no trace of the kitty.
The family had since moved to Tasmania, and have now had an emotional reunion with Archimedes in Hobart after he was handed in to the Animal Welfare League Queensland where his microchip was scanned.
"My family, including my young daughters, were reunited with Archimedes over the weekend," Daniel said. "We're so thrilled he's back,"
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The heartwarming reunion is a reminder of the importance of pets not only having a microchip, but the details on them being kept up to date.
It's timely given the uncertainty around HomeSafeID, one of the pet registry providers in Australia, which is expected to close.
If HomeSafeID does go offline and your pet's microchip is registered to its database their details will no longer be found when scanned.
To find out whether your cat or dog's microchip is registered with HomeSafeID head to the Pet Address website and look up your pet's microchip number. Your vet should have the microchip number on file if you don't have it and it will also be on vet documents.
If you can't see your pet's details on Pet Address they are likely either with HomeSafeID or a state owned registry.
For those who think they're microchip is likely with a state registry you can check directly with the New South Wales and South Australian registries.
In the case that your microchip details don't show on Pet Address or a state registry it is likely with HomeSafeID and this means you need to move your pet's details to another database.
Microchips are vital to ensure your pet can be returned to you if they go missing. Getty
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To move microchip details to another database contact the company of your choice or talk to your vet about organising an alternative registry.
Changing pet registration shouldn't cost more than $15, which is a small price to pay to be reunited with your pet if they get lost.
It's also helpful to increase the chances of a speedy reunion by having a name tag with contact details in addition to a microchip.
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