Cats despawn while traveling

I went across an ocean to find a jungle biome. I found and tamed a few ocelots while there. I then went by boat to try to head back home with my new cats. They didnt teleport like they were supposed to. I went back and got a few more cats because the ones I already had despawned, and this time I didnt use a boat when I began heading back home. they still were not teleporting like they were supposed to.