I saw in the FAQs that names will become available but it doesn't say anything about the account itself.

At one point I had an account on here (2010 would have been my most recent possible login since I was still in high school last time I was on here), I tried to log in with no luck. So I requested a password, none of my emails appear to be linked to an account. So I created a new one, and tried to search it and it appears to be gone?

Yes, after a period of one year inactivity, the account is "cleared" as in everything on that account - including the name - are put back up for use by other users unless there's special circumstances. So your account name might still be a thing and have a string of numbers behind it, same with your pets.

So I still might be able to locate it then? If I can find it any ideas how I would be able to regain access (since all my emails come up as invalid) and get someone to take care of this account so I wouldn't have multiples?

you should file a Ticket in Help. It used to be inactive accounts were deleted, so your old account may be gone. The Search Subeta feature is not exactly specific so if you type in your old chosen username it should also find your assigned username+numberstring, so my own guess is that your old account is gone. But it never hurts to ask and staff here is helpful and they can resolve all of your issues in a way that none of us here really can.

Thanks :) I don't remember how to do much of anything on here lol. I did find the account with the number string information though!