A microchip scan at a Bigfork veterinary clinic connected a missing Bengal cat named Cato with his family in Bozeman, Montana, nearly a year after he disappeared. His owner, Luke, told KBZK that the woman who brought Cato to the vet said she had paid $3,500 for him. Luke believes Cato was stolen and resold, but the report does not independently establish how he changed hands.
How Cato disappeared from Bozeman
Luke told KBZK that he acquired Cato, a ninth-generation Bengal, as a kitten from a breeder in the Seattle area for $5,000. Cato typically roamed during the day and returned home at night, Luke said. In May 2025, he did not come back.
Luke said the family contacted veterinarians within 100 miles, put up neighborhood signs and hired a drone pilot with a thermal camera to search for him.
A microchip scan connected Cato to his family
In March 2026, a veterinarian in Bigfork—more than 200 miles from Bozeman—scanned Cato’s microchip and called Luke. The scan showed that Cato was listed as missing or stolen, according to Luke’s account to KBZK.
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“The person that eventually bought him brought him into the vet,” Luke said. “And just randomly — which all vets should do — they scanned him. They said this cat is missing or stolen.”
A friend traveling through Bigfork brought Cato back to Bozeman. Luke described recognizing one another when Cato returned home.
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What the $3,500 figure does—and does not—show
Luke told KBZK that the woman who brought Cato to the veterinarian said she had paid $3,500 for him. She did not tell him where she bought the cat, according to Luke.
That amount is a purchase price the woman reportedly disclosed to Luke, not a documented or independently verified sale. Luke believes Cato was stolen and resold, but KBZK’s report does not identify a seller, establish a chain of custody or independently verify a theft.
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Why Cato’s microchip mattered
A microchip can help a veterinary clinic connect a found pet to the contact information associated with the chip when it is scanned. In Cato’s case, that scan prompted the call that led to his reunion. The account illustrates the value of scanning a found animal; it does not establish that every scan will identify an owner or lead to a recovery.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.How Luke is keeping track of Cato now
KBZK reports that Luke now keeps a GPS tracker on Cato. The report does not name a device or provide evidence that a tracker would have prevented Cato’s disappearance or guaranteed his recovery.
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Luke’s advice was simple: “Just take care of your pets and know where they are,” he said. “Just watch them and be aware of their surroundings.”
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