Medford, NY - April 30, 2015 - According to PetFinder, one in three pets will become lost in their lifetime. Microchipping your beloved dog or cat is the most efficient way to locate a lost animal and reunite a family. With the help of Guardians of Rescue, a distraught pet owner was finally united with her lost dog after two long years of searching.
“We’ve seen hundreds of dogs displaced from storms, lost, or even stolen,” explains Dori Scofield, vice president of Guardians of Rescue. “Watching a family reunite with their beloved pet is unbelievably rewarding and hopefully, it encourages others to participate in microchipping their pet to avoid losing a beloved pet.”
On Monday, April 27, 2015, Guardians of Rescue received a call about a dog living in an abandoned house in Medford, NY. Neighbors stated the dog had been left alone for 9 days. Upon arrival, the team found a dog living in a house full of urine and feces. The reports alleged the owner had mistreated the dog and disappeared.
The dog was brought to Guardians of Rescue’s shelter partner Save-A-Pet on Monday evening and the story was posted on Facebook. The next day, Lauren Bates called, claiming she’d been searching for her beloved pet for two years. Bates now resides in Texas, but previously lived in Long Island until her mother suffered a stroke and she needed to leave town and entrust her dog into the care of someone else.
Unfortunately, the sitter was not as reliable as entrusted and had given the dog away. After years of searching for her dog Jessie, she was found; on Monday night, Guardians of Rescue confirmed that Jessie is her dog, as she was microchipped to prove ownership.
“Microchopping your pets is imperative for their safe return,” explains Scofield. “Jessie and Lauren suffered a long, stressful two years apart but now Jessie will never be mistreated again and will soon be reunited with her mommy.”
Before getting your precious pet microchipped, here are three facts to know:
- Both cats and dogs can be microchipped. In fact, cats are more likely not to wear collars with identifiable tags. According to PetFinder, only 2% of lost cats without microchips return home. With a microchip, the chance of a safe return increases twenty times.
- You only need to microchip your pet once. The microchip will last a lifetime because it is made of biocompatible materials that will not degenerate. If you are concerned, vets can check to see if the microchip is still working during your pet’s next checkup.
- There is no pain in the microchip implant process---the implantation doesn’t even require anesthetic. The process is conducted at your veterinarian’s office and similar to the process of administering a vaccine or routine shot.
“I thought all hope was lost to find my Jessie,” says Lauren Bates. “I am so grateful to Guardians of Rescue and Save-A-Pet for the never ending rescue work they do which led to her safe return. We can’t wait to get her home to Texas.”
To learn more about Guardians of Rescue and the work they do, visit the site at www.guardiansofrescue.org.
About Guardians of Rescue
Based in New York, Guardians of Rescue is an organization whose mission is to protect the well being of all animals. They provide aid to animals in distress, including facilitating foster programs, rehabilitation, assisting other rescue groups, and providing support to families, both military and not, who need assistance due to economic factors. To learn more about Guardians of Rescue, visit the site at www.guardiansofrescue.org.
