Family seeks missing pet
Managing editor
A pet often becomes a part of a family — sharing a home, sometimes a bed, and definitely a family’s life.
Imagine the anguish the David and Danica Hoffman family of Marion is experiencing.
The family’s beloved pet, a purebred domestic Bengal cat, is missing.
The cat used to be an indoor cat, Danica said, but just lately was forced to become an outdoor pet because of allergies of family members.
The 11-pound, light golden brown spayed female cat with dark brown spots, disappeared March 13 or 14. Since then, her owners have desperately been searching for her.
What’s so special about this feline, besides being the family pet?
“Venus was always my favorite,” Danica said, the last of a line of domestic Asian leopard cat hybrids the family raised in Canton.
Previously the Hoffman family, which includes three sons, lived in rural McPherson County near Canton. They decided to downsize their home about three years ago and moved to Marion.
“We always liked the community,” Danica said. “There is always so much going on with people walking and children playing outside.”
When Venus wandered off, the family signed up with a website, which called 1,000 people in Marion, using a recorded message, asking strangers to call the Hoffmans with information about the missing cat.
Venus’ brother was lost a couple of years ago when he wandered off and never returned. Danica believes someone “adopted” him.
“I want to know what happened to Venus. Even if someone hit her with a car, I want to know so I can stop searching and move forward,” Danica said.
Venus does not have a collar because Danica was concerned about the cat hurting herself.
“She’s shy with strangers,” she said, making it difficult for her to be captured.
“I just want to know what happened to her.”
Anyone with information can contact the Marion County Record at (620) 382-2165, or Danica at (620) 382-2939.
There is a reward offered by the Hoffmans for the safe return of the cat.