Boots, a black and white cat, had a loving home, but he was a bit adventurous. He became lost, then miraculously found his way back home after two years - all because of rice-sized microchip.
Last week, Boots was brought to the HSSA as a stray by a good Samaritan family, who had found him and cared for him.
Shelter staff immediately scanned Boots for a microchip. Within two days the HSSA lost and found staff was able to make a match to the lost report Boots’ original owner had made nearly two years ago.
When owner Earl Teschke was notified, he was shocked.
“Boots had this thing where he would hangout outside for a little bit then come back in and one day he just never came back. I’m just glad they were able to make a match,” Teschke says.
According to Pet Finder statistics, about 22 percent of lost animals will be returned to their owners. Yet, about 52 percent of the animals microchipped have successfully been returned to their owners.
Microchipping is one of the easiest and most cost effective ways to recover an animal that has been lost. Microchipping is a quick and easy process: a microchip about the size of grain of rice is permanently inserted by syringe into the scruff of your pet.
The microchip contains your information such as phone number and address. In the case your pet is lost, any shelter or vet can scan the animal to find an ID number that can be linked to the owner’s information.
All animals adopted from the Humane Society of Southern Arizona are microchipped. The HSSA can also microchip owned pets for $20 at the HSSA’s vaccination clinic or at the main shelter during normal business hours. For more information please visit hssaz.org or call 520-327-6088.
