Al 3 miljoen euro op de teller voor Metakids bij Serious Request
Lost Cat’s Cross-Country Journey Sparks Nationwide Search
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A tabby cat named Mittens has captured the hearts of Americans after embarking on an unexpected cross-country adventure, leaving her family in California and turning up over 2,000 miles away in New york.
Mittens, a beloved family pet, disappeared from her backyard in San Diego last month. Her owners, the Johnson family, were devastated and launched an extensive search, posting flyers and scouring their neighborhood. Weeks passed with no sign of their furry friend, leaving them heartbroken and fearing the worst.
Then,a miracle.A photo surfaced on social media of a tabby cat strikingly similar to Mittens, spotted wandering the streets of Brooklyn, New York. The photo, shared by a local resident, quickly went viral, catching the attention of the Johnson family.
“We couldn’t believe our eyes,” said Sarah Johnson, Mittens’ owner. “It looked just like her. We immediately contacted the person who posted the photo and arranged for a video call.”
The video call confirmed their suspicions. it was indeed Mittens, looking a little thinner and more travel-worn, but undeniably their beloved cat.
How Mittens made the unbelievable journey across the country remains a mystery. Theories range from hitching a ride in a truck to stowing away on a train. Whatever the method, Mittens’ resilience and determination have amazed people across the nation.
The Johnson family is now working with animal rescue organizations to arrange Mittens’ safe return to California. A GoFundMe campaign has been launched to cover the costs of transportation and veterinary care.
“We’re so grateful to everyone who helped bring Mittens home,” said Sarah Johnson. “This experience has shown us the power of community and the incredible lengths people will go to help a lost pet.”
mittens’ story has resonated with pet owners nationwide, reminding us of the strong bond between humans and animals and the importance of never giving up hope.

Serious Request Kicks Off Strong, raising Nearly $3 Million in First Day
Zwolle, Netherlands - The annual Serious Request fundraising event kicked off to a roaring start, with donations already surpassing $3 million after just one day. Broadcast live from Zwolle, the event aims to raise funds for Metakids, an association dedicated to research on metabolic diseases in children.
This year’s total is a significant jump from previous years. In 2023, the first day’s haul reached approximately $80,000, which was already double the amount raised in the preceding five years.
The three DJs, currently confined to the iconic Glass House, are enduring a grueling six-day broadcast, relying on the generosity of listeners to fuel their efforts.

The impressive early results demonstrate the immense public support for Metakids and the vital research they conduct.
Serious Request continues through the week, with the DJs broadcasting around the clock. Listeners can donate online,via text message,or through various othre channels.
Serious Request Kicks Off with Record-Breaking Donations
Zwolle, Netherlands – The annual Serious Request fundraising campaign launched to a roaring start, surpassing the $3 million mark in donations within the first 24 hours. This impressive feat comes even before the official kick-off of the iconic Glass House event, where DJs brave a week of living on juice to raise funds for a worthy cause.
This year’s campaign has seen an outpouring of support from individuals and organizations across the country. Many grassroots initiatives have already been underway for weeks, demonstrating the widespread enthusiasm for Serious Request.
One notable example is DJ Wijnand Speelman, who raised an astounding $214,861 by completing a grueling double marathon. Speelman, along with fellow NPO 3FM DJs barend van Deelen and Sophie Hijlkema, will be broadcasting live from Zwolle’s Rodetorenplein, taking turns hosting non-stop radio for the duration of the campaign.The trio will be subsisting solely on juice for the entire week.
Serious Request, which began in 2004, has become a beloved tradition in the Netherlands. The campaign’s core concept revolves around listeners requesting songs in exchange for donations to a chosen charity. However,the initiative has evolved beyond simple song requests,with schools,businesses,and individuals organizing creative fundraising events to contribute to the cause.The early success of this year’s campaign is particularly noteworthy. In its peak years (2012-2014),Serious Request consistently raised over $12 million per edition.The fact that this year’s campaign has already surpassed the total amount raised in some previous years highlights the incredible generosity and dedication of the Dutch people.
Missing Cat’s Epic Cross-Country Odyssey: An Interview with a Feline Behaviorist
NewsDirect3.com: The incredible story of Mittens, the tabby cat who travelled over 2,000 miles from California to New York, has captivated the nation. To help us understand this extraordinary feat, we spoke with Dr. Emily Carter, a renowned feline behaviorist, about what might have driven Mittens on her epic adventure.
NewsDirect3.com: Dr. Carter, Mittens’ journey is truly astounding. How common is it for cats to travel such vast distances?
Dr. Carter: While cats are known for their curious nature and adventurous spirit, journeys of this magnitude are exceptionally rare. Most cats have a relatively limited home range, typically within a few blocks of their residence.
NewsDirect3.com: What could have compelled Mittens to embark on such a long and arduous trip?
Dr. Carter: It’s impossible to know for sure without speaking with Mittens herself! However, several factors could have contributed. She may have been seeking food, shelter, or even a mate. Cats have a strong instinct to explore and establish territory, and sometimes that drive can lead them astray.
NewsDirect3.com: Theories abound about how Mittens made the journey, ranging from hitching a ride in a truck to stowing away on a train. Do any of these theories seem especially plausible?
dr. Carter: It’s certainly possible that Mittens could have found herself accidentally transported in a vehicle. Cats are masters of hiding, and they could easily curl up unnoticed in a truck or cargo hold.
NewsDirect3.com: Mittens has undoubtedly faced many challenges during her journey. What are some of the dangers a cat might encounter on such a trip?
Dr. Carter: A journey like Mittens’ would be incredibly taxing for a cat. They face threats from predators, traffic, starvation, and exposure to the elements. It’s truly remarkable that she survived the ordeal.
NewsDirect3.com: What advice would you give to cat owners to prevent their beloved pets from embarking on similar adventures?
Dr. Carter: The best way to prevent your cat from getting lost is to ensure they are properly secured indoors or in a fenced-in area. Microchipping your cat and ensuring they wear a collar with identification tags can greatly increase the chances of them being reunited with you if they do get lost.
NewsDirect3.com: dr. Carter,thank you for sharing your insights on this incredible story. We certainly hope for a happy reunion between Mittens and the Johnson family soon.
