Cat missing 5 months found

GALLUP, N.M. (KRQE) - Meet Meeko.

“He's just been through a lot but, he seems but he seems just a person… he was just so nice,” said Helen Morales.

Been through a lot is an understatement. Meeko and his family were moving from Oregon to Louisiana.

“Had to make an emergency stop on the side of I-40 on the border of Arizona and New Mexico,” said Kenneth Harris, Meeko’s owner.

Harris says the cats were out of their cages because it was hot and the middle of summer. When his wife and 5-year-old son got out of the car Meeko jumped out too.

“We looked for 10 or 15 minutes,” said Harris.

But the family had to keep moving.

Enter Morales, “He had been around the yard for a couple of days, and I've been noticing him, I thought he was somebody else's.”

Earlier this week she spotted Meeko, “I gave him some food and he chowed it down. Within an hour he wanted more food.”

She called the number on his tag and said, “He's here in Gallup, New Mexico.”

“My heart melt, I felt like I had lost the cat that I wasn't going to see him ever again,” said Harris.

But this story hasn't gotten its happy ending yet, said Morales, “They said they were of little means. And I said I too am of little means, I can't afford to send him.”

Harris says his son and young daughter are hoping this will turn into an early Christmas gift, and somehow they will get Meeko back soon.

“It's priceless, you can't put a dollar value on it,” said Harris.

UPDATE: Meeko the cat will be reuntied in 2 weeks with his family according to Kenneth Harris. The family says they appreciate all the offers to help, and couldn't be happier to be together again soon.