Letters

We want to share the story of our deeply beloved black cat, Devlin, who went missing from our home here in Southampton just before Halloween of 2017. Despite our best efforts to find him, our search ended without any leads. For years, we wondered where he might be and whether he was okay.

Recently, we received unexpected news from a microchip company: Devlin had been found and taken to East End Vet in Riverhead, where we learned, sadly, he had been injured by a car and passed away.

While we are heartbroken, we also learned that Devlin had lived the past several years on a farm on the North Fork as part of a feral cat colony. There, he was cared for and fed by some incredibly kind-hearted people. We are forever grateful to them for showing him the love and care he needed.

This search for Devlin in 2017 also led us to discover another black kitten on Hill Street, which we continue to support in partnership with the owners of Enstine’s gas station. That little one is now thriving, thanks to the efforts of good-hearted neighbors and friends.

We are deeply grateful for the long chain of compassionate souls across the Hamptons who helped Devlin in his time of need. We think of him often, reflecting on his journey from being lost and vulnerable to finding his place on the North Fork. Devlin will always have a special place in our hearts.

Lessons learned:

A cat that is spayed or neutered, and whose ears show no sign of being tipped, may simply be missing — and could belong to someone who loves them dearly.

A microchip can provide a clear roadmap to help reunite lost pets with their families. Had Devlin been scanned earlier, he might have been returned home much sooner.

We hope that this story serves as a reminder of the importance of pet identification and the kindness of strangers who help those in need.

Eva Matysiak

Southampton