Denver Thrift Store Workers Check Donated Recliner And The Next Moment Makes Them Stop Cold

When a family in Denver donated their old recliner, it felt like just another small step in a busy moving day. Nothing special. Just one less thing to deal with.

But they had no idea they were sending something far more important away with it.

Hidden deep inside the cushions was Montequlla, their fluffy orange cat. With all the noise, movement, and unfamiliar faces around, the recliner had seemed like the perfect hiding spot.

So he slipped inside and curled up, thinking it was just a quiet nap. But that nap turned into something much bigger… and far from home.

The family was in the middle of a hectic move when Montequlla slipped away unnoticed. By the time they realized he was missing, the recliner had already been dropped off at the Denver Arc Store.

Heartbroken, they searched everywhere for him but couldn’t find a trace.

Fortunately, fate intervened. Not long after the chair arrived, a sharp-eared thrift store worker heard faint meowing coming from inside. 

They carefully investigated and discovered the source: a friendly orange tabby, trapped but unharmed. The staff immediately contacted Denver Animal Protection Shelter for help.

Officer Jenna Humphreys remembers the scene vividly, sharing in an interview:

“Sure enough, there’s a recliner out front, and there’s a little orange tabby stuck inside. Very friendly, but couldn’t get out. They [store staff] said that they had noticed the meowing shortly after somebody had dropped it off.”

Jenna and her team managed to carefully guide Montequlla out of his unusual hiding spot inside the recliner. Once he was safely in their arms, a quick scan of his microchip revealed the contact details of his worried owners.

Meanwhile, the family had been in a state of panic, searching every corner of their home, checking under furniture, and scouring the neighbourhood in the hope of spotting their beloved ginger cat.

Little did they know, Montequlla had been on a secret recliner-bound adventure the whole time, just waiting to be discovered.

Only when they heard from the shelter did everything click into place: Montequlla had slipped into the recliner during the moving chaos, and that same chair had ended up at the thrift store.

When they arrived to collect him, the relief was overwhelming. Tail wags and happy tears marked the moment Montequlla was back where he belonged.

Jenna took the opportunity to share an important reminder for pet owners:

“Oftentimes, when we have a stressful event like that, we know that animals can seek hiding spots. So, this one just happened to pick the recliner that they were going to donate to Arc. It’s not uncommon for us to be called to help remove animals from those situations, but this was a new one.”

Montequlla’s little mix-up turned out better than anyone could’ve hoped.