If your pet goes missing, a microchip is his ticket home. This summer Allen Animal Services reunited a pet owner with his cat who went missing across the country 10 years ago.
Chuck the cat came to Allen Animal Services in August as a stray. Staff checked for a microchip and found he had a previous owner registered in California. Chuck’s microchip provided contact information for his previous owner, so staff immediately made the call.
The owner was living in California where Chuck was always an indoor/outdoor cat. Approximately 10 years ago, Chuck never came back. His family looked for some time but never found him. One year ago, the family moved to Colorado. When the owner heard Chuck was in Texas, he immediately arranged to make the drive from Colorado to Allen Animal Shelter to bring Chuck home. According to his owner, Chuck now is approximately 16 years old. This is what his owner had to say:
“Chuck and I made it back to Colorado with no problem. He was very calm and quiet on the drive. Once home, he acclimated quickly. He and the dog and the other three cats sniffed each other and since then haven't paid much attention to each other. He seems to have gravitated to the basement. We're happy to have him back. We wish he could tell us what happened between 2011 and now.”
Half-price microchips Sept. 6-12
Through Sept. 12, Allen Animal Services is offering half-price ($10) microchips to all pet owners, no Allen residency required. If your pet already has a chip, you’re welcome to check the chip’s status, update your contact information or learn about the chip manufacturer. If you have questions, call Allen Animal Services at 214.509.4378.
Pictured: Chuck reuniting with his owner at Allen Animal Shelter; Chuck with his new cat sibling, Nappy; Chuck as a kitten
Watch a video of Chuck's reunion on Facebook
