A Maltipoo named Colby has been joyfully reunited with his family nearly three years after he went missing in San Diego. The heartwarming reunion took place after humane officers discovered Colby abandoned at a Safe Sleeping site, an initiative of the Jewish Family Service organisation.
:max_bytes(150000):strip_icc():format(jpeg)/Tout-Dog-Returned-After-3-Years91126-9577c04e5c52423d897064d14ae0a4ce.jpg)
The events leading up to the reunion began late on the evening of 8 September. Officers from the San Diego Humane Society responded to a report of the abandoned dog and found Colby, aged six. Upon bringing him in for examination, the officers scanned him for a microchip, which revealed a remarkable twist: Colby had been reported missing since 27 September 2020.
Efforts to locate Colby’s owners commenced immediately following the discovery. The humane officers confirmed the microchip’s details and successfully reached his owner, Cindy, with the news that she had longed to hear. At around 9:30 p.m., Cindy received the call, struggling to comprehend that her furry companion had been found. Overcome with emotion, she awakened her children to share the joyful news.
“After Colby went missing, we notified the microchip company immediately,” Cindy recounted. “Although we had lost hope, I was contacted right away thanks to the microchip.” With no dogs in the household for almost three years, Cindy began preparing her home to welcome Colby back, gathering supplies and making arrangements for his arrival.
On the other hand, Colby was in need of care when he arrived at the humane society. The team identified that he was flea-infested and possibly suffering from a skin infection concealed beneath his matted fur. In anticipation of his homecoming, the care team at the humane society provided Colby with a thorough grooming, vaccinations, and a wellness check to ensure he was in good health.
The reunion took place on the afternoon of 9 September when Colby was joyously welcomed back by Cindy and her young son, Gregory. The family chose to have Colby neutered, in line with the organisation’s advocacy for spaying and neutering pets, before bringing him home the following day.
Cindy expressed her elation over Colby’s return, stating, “We are absolutely thrilled that we finally have our Colby back after three long years. We missed him dearly; he was always on my mind.” The happiness surrounding the reunion is testament to the bond between pets and their families.
The San Diego Humane Society took the opportunity to underscore the significance of microchipping pets. In a statement, they noted, “Colby’s reunion was made possible by his microchip and the fact that his owners had promptly reported him missing.” Emphasising the reliability of microchips, they pointed out that this method serves as a permanent form of identification that cannot easily be lost or removed, unlike collars.
The organisation’s statement elaborated on the importance of microchipping, stating, “Colby’s story acts as a remarkable reminder of how invaluable microchips can be when it comes to reuniting lost pets with their families.” They urged pet owners to ensure their animals are microchipped and that their contact information remains up to date, as it significantly increases the chances of a quick reunion if a pet goes missing.
Colby’s return not only warmed the hearts of his family but also served as an important reminder in the community about responsible pet ownership. As the family settles back into their routine with Colby, they express their gratitude for the humane society’s efforts that made this reunion possible after such a long period of uncertainty.