Cat reunited with owner after disappearing 6 months ago in deadly Valley fire

After losing personal belongings, pets and homes in last year’s deadly 76,000-acre Valley fire, many Northern California residents are still trying to pick up the pieces.

But at least one Valley fire victim got an uplifting surprise recently when she found her missing cat.

The white tabby named Muscat went missing six months ago when hundreds of residents in Lake, Napa and Somona counties were evacuated during the blaze.

Nancy Underwood hadn’t seen the feline since he disappeared from her Hidden Valley Lake home.

But then last month, Underwood was driving near her home when she saw a cat that looked a lot like her tabby, according to the Middletown Animal Hospital.

Underwood stopped her car, called the cat and he came to her.

“It's another Valley Fire miracle! I found my kitty,” Underwood wrote on Facebook.

A resident in the area had been caring for the tabby for the past six months, she said.

After reuniting with her lost cat, Underwood took him to the veterinarian for a checkup.

“We're happy to report that Muscat is healthy,” the hospital said. “We updated all vaccines and did a well check on him. She is so happy to have him back. A wonderful reminder to never give up hope!”

Hospital manager Teresa Axthelm told KPIX-TV that Muscat was one of many pets still missing since the blaze tore through the area. The hospital has even put up a bulletin for residents in search of their missing pets.

The wind-driven fire began on Sept. 12 in Cobb, a community in southern Lake County, and burned for more than a month, destroying 1,955 structures and killing four.

The Valley fire is the third most damaging wildfire in California’s history. The cause of the fire is still under investigation.

For breaking news in California, follow @VeronicaRochaLA on Twitter.

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