HOLLYWOOD, Fla. – Around 10 million pets go missing every year in the United States — some get lost, some run away, and others are stolen. The loss of a family pet can be devastating.
A Hollywood family says they experienced just that kind of heartbreak — until they were reunited with their beloved cat.
Gabrielle Pardo described his emotions after seeing surveillance video that showed what happened to his cat, Arlo.
“(I’m) distraught and angry and mad and pissed,” Pardo said.
His next-door neighbor’s security camera captured the moment.
An adult and a child are seen walking toward the Pardos’ home around 9:30 p.m. on Easter Sunday.
The adult pauses and appears to scan the area, looking around the neighborhood. Then, the child walks alone up to the home and returns carrying the orange tabby cat.
Moments later, the adult and the child walk away together — with the cat.
“I don’t understand why a parent or an adult would allow that to happen or encourage it,” Pardo said. “I mean even in the video you can clearly see them looking around to see if anyone was watching, so this was definitely intentional.”
Gabrielle’s mother, Edith Pardo, was too emotional to say much about the incident.
“I miss him,” she said, choked up.
Edith said she rescued Arlo from the Humane Society of Broward County nine years ago.
“When I walk, he walks with me,” she said through tears.
Arlo isn’t just a pet, she said — he’s a member of their family.
“When I sit on the picnic table, he goes behind me and he pulls my hair from the back, just to attract my attention,” she said.
The cat often sleeps in the driveway overnight but always comes in for breakfast. But the morning after Easter, Arlo was gone — and only his collar, with an AirTag attached, was left behind.
“Once I saw the AirTag removed, I was like ok something, there’s like foul play here or something,” Gabrielle Pardo said.
The family posted signs and shared Arlo’s photo on social media, pleading for help. Neighbors also voiced concern.
“This cat was awesome, he would hang out with you, he was affectionate, he had a personality, everybody loved this cat!” said Aaron Baden, a neighbor.
As word spread that Local 10’s Animal Advocate Jacey Birch was investigating the case, something remarkable happened — Arlo was returned home before the story even aired.
Edith’s tears turned to smiles.
“Thank you for all the help trying to find Arlo and we are so happy that he’s back,” she said. “Thank you so much, yes for bringing me home!”
If you need help saving animals or making a difference in their lives, please reach out by emailing Birch at jbirch@wplg.com.
