My cat was missing in Melbourne for a week. Reddit detectives found him in four hours.

When my beloved cat Bodhi went missing in Melbourne, I thought I would never see him again. Little did I know that a quick post to Reddit would see a network of online detectives track him down.

The Melbourne Reddit community tracked down a cat that had been missing in Melbourne in just four hours.

I searched for my cat for six days. It took Melbourne’s Reddit community just four hours to find him.

My cat Bodhi has always been one to wander, and always one to promptly return home in time for breakfast.

So when he didn’t turn up one Friday morning, I knew something was up.

Now Bodhi isn’t your typical household cat. In fact, up until a few years ago, he wasn’t a household cat at all, but a feral roaming the streets of Hawaii.

That is until he was whisked off the streets and dropped at a shelter after three years of living large. I’m no cat person, but when I saw him there, desperate for affection in that tiny cage, I couldn’t leave without him.

After six years together in the States, I flew him all the way back to Melbourne for a new life in the city.

After a few weeks inside he made it clear by tearing up everything in my house from university diplomas to walls that he wanted to be outdoors.

So when he didn’t come home, I was sure with a couple of wanted-style posters, he’d be back in my arms in no time.

When that didn’t work, I placed my bets on a call to local vets. Then I made the rounds to a series of shelters, frequently checking their websites for his mugshot.

Still nothing, I called my council … then neighbouring councils.

Bodhi would still be missing in Melbourne if not for the detective work of the online Reddit community.

Bodhi-less and defeated, I was close to accepting the fact I may never see my pal again.

Until I mentioned my failed mission to my colleague, a frequent Redditor, who suggested I create a post there.

I should have known from the Netflix documentary ‘Don’t f--- with cats’ about the power of a dedicated cat-loving online community. But never did I think I’d need to harness their sleuthing skills.

I pulled together a photo, a short description of his appearance, mentioned where I’d last seen him and hit post. It was nothing more than a final throwaway attempt at finding him.

But to my shock, the comments flooded in.

The r/melbourne community were sending in tip after tip on how to lure him home, telling me where I should call, all while wishing me an abundance of luck in my search.

I was hooked to my phone for updates.

These practically professional pet owners recommended I hire a private pet detective to track him down. If only they knew another user was already on the case.

Missing kitty in Prahran, please help!!
byu/stressedariesmood inmelbourne

One girl recognised Bodhi, and managed to trace his furry face back to a post she’d scrolled past in days prior on Facebook.

With that, a crew of Redditors managed to find numerous social media accounts owned by the person who had posted a snap of my cat.

Before I got the chance, multiple people had contacted her directly, begging her to get in touch with me.

The team of investigators sent me pictures of Bodhi alive and well, and reassured me that he’d be home to me soon.

They didn’t stop messaging the finder until I told them the person who had him had been in contact with me and was going to return him.

In a true display of their sheer dedication, they continued to message me for updates and upvote the post to keep the search underway.

Reddit users tracked down Bodhi’s location through a series of online clues.

The relief I felt knowing he was safe was indescribable. The astonishment at how it had come to fruition knocked my socks off.

I sent Bodhi’s finder a message, who – as fate would have it – lived on my street.

As it turns out, Bodhi had taken interest in this neighbour of mine and decided to follow her home.

She thought the best thing to do for this helpless little scoundrel was to keep him indoors to protect him from danger.

Little did she know, it was her couches that were in danger in this scenario.

I am by no means exaggerating when I say I didn’t waste a second to collect him. Shoes on, phone in hand, waiting for an address to be sent through to me.

Bodhi, on the other hand … let’s just say the emotional reunion was unrequited.

He was living in luxury. Cat toys. A new scratching post. Bags of food. Top-of-the line treats and goodies.

I burst into tears at the sight of him. He looked at me like a trespasser. He was more than content as king of the castle at his presumed new home.

After spoiling Bodhi for a week, his finder is now in search of a cat of her own.

Bodhi is now a permanently indoor cat.

To the investigators of Reddit – I can’t thank you enough.

Originally published as My cat was missing in Melbourne for a week. Reddit detectives found him in four hours.