Artemis, affectionately known as “Artie,” is a well-loved cat in his Philadelphia neighborhood, known for his gentle and sociable nature. His friendly personality, however, made him an easy target for thieves. On April 27, Artie was stolen off the street by two teenage boys who were seen jumping into a white SUV after saying, “We’ve got another one.”
Artie’s owners, Andrew and Dominique Mojica, quickly tracked his AirTag, which led them across town. Unfortunately, they only recovered his collar with the tracker attached — but there was no sign of Artie himself.
Days passed with no leads, until Thursday, May 1, when Artie was unexpectedly brought to ACCT Philadelphia, a local animal shelter. Two women claimed to have found him as a stray and had his microchip scanned, confirming his identity. The shelter contacted his owners, and Artie was reunited with his family the same day.
The emotional reunion brought tears of relief. Artie’s safe return was the result of a broad community effort. The Mojicas reached out to friends, neighbors, and local media — including CBS Philadelphia — in hopes of locating their beloved pet.
Though his return brought joy, questions remain about where Artie was during the days he was missing. Many believe his dognappers had bad intentions, especially since they removed the AirTag rather than attempting to return him. “Please investigate the people who stole Artemis,” one commenter urged. “It seems like they’ve been doing this to other cats.”
Artie’s case highlights the value of pet microchips and GPS trackers. While not foolproof, these tools greatly increase the chances of a lost animal finding its way home.
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