I just reunited a dog with its owner!!!

[hamsterjill]

In the words of James Brown, "I Feel Good!!!"

The sweetest little dog showed up at my house two nights ago. Wearing a harness, but no tags. Took him to the vet to be scanned for a microchip, and no chip.

I posted flyers in the neighborhood and this morning his very worried family called. He was SO happy to be back home, and it looks like he has a really good environment there.

If you have pets, please consider microchipping them. It's their ticket home should they ever be lost!

[kentauros]

1. Good job!

:thumbsup:

I'm not worried about my cat getting out, though. He won't venture more than a few feet from my apartment door. If anyone walks by, even fifty feet away, he runs back inside ;)

[hamsterjill]

4. Thank you!

[Inchworm]

2. You rock!

:yourock::applause::yourock:

:*

[hamsterjill]

5. His little face just lit up when he saw his house!!!

n/t

[flvegan]

3. Nice work, and good advice.

[hamsterjill]

6. Thank you.

I see far too many lost kiddos that don't make it home. I am always happy when I get to participate in one of the FEW happy endings!!

[joeybee12]

7. Well done!!!!

:toast:

[hamsterjill]

8. Appreciate it!

I know you share my love of furr-babies!!!

[kimi]

9. That's such a cool feeling, isn't it??!!

I've done it a few times, and it just gives me a high that lasts for days. Makes so much worthwhile.

Good for you, and yes, GREAT advice!! Thanks!!

[hamsterjill]

19. Yes, it is!

It is a cool feeling. Too many times when it doesn't work out! So you really, really enjoy the ones that do work out!

[LisaL]

10. That's great. You quite possibly saved that dog's life.

[SammyWinstonJack]

11. ...

:yourock:

[elleng]

12. THANKS! At LEAST, tag them!

Don't most jurisdictions require tags with proof of innoculation? Add phone number ID.

Worst day in our lives when our Toni 'took a hike.' Fortunately, she was found and returned.

[hamsterjill]

20. Glad Toni was safely returned!

Yes, there is actually a requirement that pets be microchipped. It's San Antonio's form of licensing. But so many people don't do it.

Because it is a requirement, the city has been sponsoring a lot of vaccination clinics and microchipping is available at those clinics for very low cost. I told this dog's mom that I would get her information on some of those clinics.

[InvisibleTouch]

13. Excellent!

I am on a "lost dogs" mailing list, and I always love to see the "found" and "home safe" posts.

All my dogs are microchipped. You can buy the kit and do it yourself for much less cost than having a vet do it. There's a guy on eBay that sells them, and when I need microchips I always order there:

http://rover.ebay.com/rover/1/711-53200-19255-0/1?icep_ff3=2&pub=5574649579&toolid=10001&campid=5335864093&customid=&icep_item=230456156352&ipn=psmain&icep_vectorid=229466&kwid=902099&mtid=824&kw=lg

[orion007]

14. How do you implant this under the dogs skin? n/t

[InvisibleTouch]

24. The chip should go between the shoulderblades.

If you have a larger/older dog, you pretty much need someone to hold them while you inject the chip (or vice-versa, you hold the dog, your helper injects). For puppies, I have a one-person technique: I've found you can wait until they wear themselves out in play and take a nice nap, then you can sneak up on them and inject the chip. Best of all, let them go to sleep in your lap and work from there. This is also my technique for giving puppy shots. They don't even notice. :)

Be aware that the injector is a great big horse needle, and a dog's skin is surprisingly tough (even a puppy's), so there will be an initial bit of resistance as it goes in. Keep it shallow and try to be quick. In the case of a sleeping puppy, they do sometimes wake up and give a brief wimper, but usually go right back to sleep again.

Recommended minimum age for it is 6 weeks, but of course you can microchip an older dog or cat too.

[orion007]

26. Thanks so much for the instructions, the Vet bills I get are outrageous

and this helps so much!

[InvisibleTouch]

27. The vet bills ARE outrageous, no kidding!

With my first litter of puppies, I took them in to the vet's for their first set of puppy shots and microchips. That cost me $600 for the group of 6. Ever since then, I have done it myself at a fraction of the cost. The only shots you can't give yourself are rabies, because it needs a certificate signed by a vet - but if you have a Banfield (PetSmart) hospital in your area, you can get just the rabies shot for a not-too-insane price. Some Banfields even have walk-in hours once or twice a week where they waive the exam fee and charge you just for the shot. Call around and try to find one that still does it. In my area there is only one left, but they get quite a bit of patronage and promotion from me!

[gvstn]

28. Check the SPCA

Ours does microchips for $25. Might be worth the call to compare to the DIY kits.

[hamsterjill]

22. Thanks for the link!

I always try to follow up with anyone who I've contacted trying to find the owner. In this particular situation, I'd contacted several shelters, groomers, vets, etc., and I called or emailed them to let them know that the dog was home safe. I like spreading news when it's good news!

[Roon]

15. Yay!!

Thank you!

[Forkboy]

16. What? And make him a poochie pawn in the New World Order??!!!111!!!

I don't think so. :P

[rurallib]

17. you deserve a big lounge hug

:grouphug: :grouphug:

[hamsterjill]

23. Thanks!

I could use a hug these days!!! Couldn't we all??!!

There does seem to be one common denominator on DU that always remains consistent. Just about everyone on here is an animal lover. So hugs to everyone for past, current, or future deeds to help an animal in need!

[MicaelS]

18. Good for you! n/t

[Dystopian]

21. You're an angel...

hamsterjill:hug:

You went the extra mile for this little sweetie.
Thank you for taking the time to help this doggie and his family...
I love happy endings...


peace~

[Brigid]

25. You have just done your good deed for the day . . .

and the week . . . maybe even the year. :yourock:

PS My two kitties are both microchipped, even though they are kept indoors. :)

[gvstn]

29. Great job!

Someone kindly took our very dumb but sweet dog in for two days years ago. We were frantically searching since he was usually such a home body. He didn't have his tag but they had contacted some local agency and we were able to track him down through them. It was such a relief. I will always remember their kindness.

Pat yourself on the back for taking care of the dog until his owners could be reached. I know they will remember you. :)

[Patiod]

30. Good on you! Good for that family!

:loveya: :loveya:

[tjwmason]

31. A close colleague of mine lost her cat.

Somehow the cattery where it was staying during a holiday managed to let it escape.

It was found about two months later, in a rather bad state due to living wild, but because it was chipped the R.S.P.C.A. could get hold of her immediately to let her know they had the cat.

I'm not an animal person, but anybody who does have a pet should seriously consider getting it chipped.

[Bozita]

32. Contact your local shelters for info on cheap/free microchipping.