When Mittens the Tuxedo slipped into a covered boat parked near his family’s house, all he wanted was a catnap. Instead, he went on the journey of a lifetime.
No one had any idea the boat was carrying a terrified cat when it was driven to a repair shop 56 kilometres away and, as soon as the mechanic pulled off the cover, a terrified Mittens bolted away. No matter how many signs were placed up, searches made and people calling his name, Mittens never appeared. The Flitton family was inconsolable. They knew Mittens had a microchip, but weeks passed without word. Their 14-year-old daughter, Allison, believed she would never see her cat again.
Four months later, Alice Puleo, a woman living in Park City, 51 kilometres east of the boat shop, came across a black cat with white paws.
“I was unloading groceries and this cat came down the pathway and announced that he was hungry in no uncertain terms,” Alice said “He was very skinny and looked a little beat up. He needed some love and attention.”
The cat was ravenous and exhausted. When Alice took him to her vet at the Park City Animal Clinic, Dr. Carl Prior immediately scanned for a microchip. Then he called Mitten’s family who were stunned to learn that Mittens had somehow traveled through the Wasatch Mountains, a journey that had taken an incredible four months.

Today, Mittens is safely back where he belongs. The Flittons will never know the details of his amazing adventure, but they’re thankful he didn’t give up.

“To see him again was unbelievable — I felt like the happiest girl on earth