Missing emotional support cat found in storm drain

GREENVILLE, N.C. (WITN/Gray News) - A missing emotional support cat is back home after a group of teenagers spotted her inside a storm drain.

Kimberlea Bauer and her daughter, Gillian, were settling into the Greenville area after moving from Rocky Mount. An important part of the family is Robin, Gillian’s emotional support cat.

“We went around looking at different rescues and humane societies, and they immediately bonded. Immediately,” Kimberlea Bauer said.

The cat has been supporting Gillian since 2022 in managing her anxiety.

“Anytime I feel anxiety or stress, she’d be right there for me,” Gillian Bauer said.

Unfortunately, one day, Robin disappeared from the family’s neighborhood, launching a days-long search by family, friends, and volunteers.

“The world kind of stops for you. It doesn’t feel real that she’s actually gone,” Gillian Bauer said.

When Robin couldn’t be found that first day, Gillian didn’t think much of it, as the indoor-outdoor cat always finds her way to their front door. But when the next day arrived with no sign of her companion in sight, concern grew.

“You’re kind of numb; you’re not really sure,” Gillian Bauer said.

The family put up missing posters, filled out a lost pet report with animal services, posted daily on Facebook, and used a drone service to search near the home.

They also enlisted the help of Bravo K911, a K-9 team from Raleigh. On Thursday morning, the family joined K-9 Preacher as he searched areas where Robin may have been hiding.

Hours later, Robin was found in a storm drain by some teenagers playing wiffle ball.

The teens thought their ball had rolled into the drain, and when they peeked inside, they spotted a pair of bright green eyes staring back.

One of the teens, Alice, recognized Robin from a missing cat poster and called Kimberlea Bauer. Kimberlea then told Gillian, who rushed over and helped the teens lift the heavy storm drain grate. One of the boys climbed into the drain and safely rescued Robin.

The location where Robin was found was also one of the areas where K-9 Preacher had alerted earlier that day.

The teenagers received a $500 reward for helping bring Robin home.

Robin has been a lifeline to Gillian while she’s been at college in Virginia.

“It’s hard to sleep at night because I’m used to having a weight on my chest,” Gillian Bauer said.

“She has made a huge impact on my daughter...to be able to be independent because Robin does soothe her and calm her,” Kimberlea Bauer said.