​As the owner keeps saying, this is a story that needs to be made into a movie.

A sweet black cat found his way into a kind woman’s yard and she began caring for him. She saw how sweet he was and thought maybe he could be someone’s missing family member. So she posted a picture to a local lost pets page. Another kind woman offered to come scan him for a microchip. Microchip found. But it was a dead end.

Thankfully the woman who scanned him knew of Microchip Hunters. She submitted the case and things took a strange turn once we started researching it.

Volunteer Sarah K tried to contact the person on the microchip multiple different ways and also tried relatives and possible neighbors. No one responded.

Microchip Hunters let the finder know that Sarah K unfortunately didn’t have any luck tracking down the owner. The finder emailed back which made us scratch our heads. She asked: “Is the owner’s name Kim? Someone named Kim B. commented on our Facebook post that this looks like a cat she lost She said "she received a call that someone scanned her cat and they're trying to reunite them". The name on the chip was Kim… But no one had responded to Sarah’s attempts at contact. So how did the owner find the post instead of responding to our team?

The strangeness continued. Sarah reached out to the commenter on the Facebook post. She confirmed the full name that was on the microchip, but her last name was different and we couldn’t figure out a connection between the Kim that we were talking to and the Kim that was listed on the chip. Then it dawned on Sarah to ask if this was a different person with the same first name. Yep. Kim #1 bought the cat as a gift for Kim #2 and they never updated the microchip registration.

Kim #1 did receive a text from Sarah but was dealing with family health issues. She called Kim #2 to tell her someone might have found Smokey (now Wootie) and to look into it. But neither of them contacted Sarah directly because they thought maybe it was a scam. So Kim #2 took to Facebook to see if she could find more info on the found cat.

Once Sarah spoke with both Kims, she let the finder know that yes, this was the long lost owner! And the story gets even wilder.

The Kims told us that in 2019, Kim #2 was moving and a friend of hers was watching her cat. While at the friends house, he slipped out. They looked and looked but didn’t find him. Kim moved but she and Kim #1 kept returning to the neighborhood to search for Wootie.

Fast forward to 2026. Wootie had made his way to the same block that Kim #2 moved from. And settled in there when the finder started caring for him. We think he traveled a couple of miles back to his neighborhood looking for his owner. And it took a kind woman caring for him and another wonderful woman scanning for a chip to get him back to her.

The cat was reunited with Kim and her husband this weekend and everyone involved couldn’t hold back the tears. After 6 long years, Wootie was finally back with his loving family who was missing him so much the whole time. Those that were there said it was undeniable that Wootie recognized Kim right away.

Another reminder of how important it is to scan for a microchip, even when it’s a “neighborhood cat”. It just could happen that that cat has a loving home he wants to go back to.

​STOLEN FROM PETLAND!

A dead-end microchip case was sent over to Microchip Hunters from Gateway Pet Guardians in Illinois. This guy was found stray.

The microchip was a dead end because it wasn't registered and also was a microchip that wasn't easily traceable to a manufacturer.

After much digging Microchip Hunters discovered that the chip was likely sold to a Petland, and made some calls to a store location in Iowa City that seemed probable. That location had the chip number in their system, but no other information other than it was an Apricot Bichon Poodle Mix born 11/2025.

That was a start!!!

I made calls to a few other Petland locations, but wasn't successful, until I called corporate!

I received a call the next day from Jeff, and it turns out this dog was stolen from their store in February! He shared the video of them taking the dog!!!

Jeff's first words were, I'm so glad the dog is ok! That was comforting to me...

Arrangements were made and the dog went back to the Petland location in St. Louis, Missouri, where the dog went missing from!

Here is the best part, I received a text from Jeff on Saturday "Hi Jeanette - it's Jeff with Petland in St. Louis. Just wanted to let you know that we have the Bichonpoo back in our possession. The lady who has been fostering him is actually going to adopt him once we complete our vet checks, etc. so he'll have a permanent home soon. Thanks for all your help!"

Have the best life little guy!!!

One incorrect digit in the phone number can make all the difference!

Thank you to Kathy C. for picking up an adorable little ShihTzu that was running the streets and eventually was hiding under a car.

He was very scared, but Kathy was able to secure him and scan for a chip.

The microchip was a Save This Life microchip, and they are out of business and Kathy reached out to a rescue to see if they could pull the dog after the stray hold at CACC, in case an owner didn't claim. Michelle P. from the rescue send a message to Microchip Hunters and the chip was registered to another company in 2020!

The phone number, however, wasn't a working number and upon some searching under the owner's name, it was discovered that a digit in the phone number was listed as an 8 but should have been a 5.

The owner on the chip texted back and told me that her friend has Kapri and gave me an address and phone number. This was good news since the dog was found a 1/2 mile from the address instead of miles away from the address on the chip.

The friend called and I was able to connect him to finder, Kathy. He was relieved and told her that he had been out looking for him and was very worried.

"All is well, Kapri was literally screaming to get to him. I left him a slip lead for now too. Thanks again for the wonderful match!"

We will be sending an ID tag, collar and leash to help keep little Kapri safe while outside.

Welcome home little guy, thanks to all that helped keep him safe and get him home to his family!

Don't forget to call the chip company to make sure you contact information was entered correctly! It can make the difference of getting your pet home! ​

FLOR - Reunited after 12 YEARS because of her microchip and the kind people who worked together to get her home!

Fifteen-year-old Flor was found in Gary, Indiana, by Mack, a storm worker from out of state. Because the nearby animal shelter was flooded, Mack had taken her to Griffith Indiana Animal Control & Shelter, where she was treated for fleas.

Mack had Flor scanned and a microchip was found but hit a dead end. The chip had been registered in 2013, but the phone number was no longer current. Flor, born in 2011, had been missing for 12 years.

On the recommendation of Debbie A. and other supporters of Microchip Hunters, Mack sent us Flor’s microchip information for help. Jane also messaged us to let us know Flor was safe at Griffith Animal Control & Shelter and shared a personal contact in case we found her family.

After researching the owner, it appeared she had once lived in Chicago but now lived in Evanston. Additional background searches turned up phone numbers that looked like they might be current.
And sure enough, I got a call back right away.

When I explained why I was calling, Flor’s owner was crying and shaking. This, I was not expecting!
“You found Flor? OMG, OMG... you have Flor?” The tears were flowing, mine too!

Flor was her "soul" dog. She had gone missing 12 years earlier with another dog who was not microchipped. Because Flor was chipped, this incredible reunion was possible. Sadly, the other dog was never found. Or maybe she was... but without a microchip, there was no way to identify her and connect her back to her family.

Flor's owner talked about Flor to her kids to this day, and today this dream came true.

Flor’s family didn’t have dependable transportation to Griffith, so I reached out to Tonya at Evanston Animal Shelter. We know they are all about these happy reunions! By the next day, Tonya had arranged for volunteer Gillian to pick Flor up and bring her to Evanston for her family. Griffith Animal Control & Shelter also waived all fees and provided flea and deworming medication.

From Mack finding Flor, to Debbie and others recommending Microchip Hunters, Jane helping Griffith and Microchip Hunters connect, Microchip Hunters finding a current number for her family and coordinating, Griffith caring for her, and Tonya (Evanston Animal Shelter) and volunteer Gillian helping get her to Evanston...

Flor’s family is incredibly grateful to everyone who helped, and so are we. What a joyful day for them. Microchips keep famiies together, make sure yours is current today.

Welcome home, Flor, you were missed for 12 years. That is long enough!!!

***VIDEOS IN COMMENTS***
​
(7) FLOR - Reunited after 12 YEARS because of her... - Lost Dogs Illinois | Facebook
https://www.facebook.com/griffithindianaanimalcontrol/posts/1492339009599865


#MicrochipHunters
www.microchiphelp.com
Lost Dogs Illinois

Thank you, Marion County Animal Services in Florida, for using Microchip Hunters to help 12-year-old Luna get back home!

“We contacted the Nanochip company, but they responded that this microchip is not a Nanochip microchip. We could use assistance tracking the actual company and hopefully find owner information. All we currently have is the microchip number.”

Microchip Hunters received Luna’s microchip case from Marion County Animal Services after she was found as a stray on July 15th. They were hoping we could help find her family.

And this one took some serious digging!

Microchip Hunters spent hours trying to determine where Luna’s microchip came from. Finally, all that hard work paid off! We were able to locate the veterinary hospital that had her information on file. Although they hadn’t seen Luna in three years, they still had the name, phone number, and address of her owner.
The information, however, was outdated. The phone number no longer worked, and it appeared the family had moved.

So, the research began again!

After many attempts to reach family members, a sister-in-law finally answered. She knew Luna right away!
Between her and other family members, they were able to reach Luna’s mom, and she made the trip to Marion County to reclaim her.

Luna’s sister-in-law told me:
“Either way, we will come and get her, she has been with the family for so long.”

Luna is loved.

This 12-year-old girl didn't need a new home. She just needed to go home.

No dog with a home belongs in a shelter.

Found: 7/15/2026 Reunited: 8/5/2026

Welcome home, Luna!
​
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#LostDogsIllinois

Chloe, found in Cincinnati Ohio, was taken to Cincinnati Animal Care (CAC) in Ohio where her unregistered microchip led to an animal hospital in Fort Wayne, Indiana. CAC was unable to reach the owner with the information given by the animal hospital, and sent it to Microchip Hunters as this girl sure seemed loved.

There were 2 owners listed on the microchip that was implanted in 2024 and volunteer Deb wasn't able to find any additional information for them at all. Days went by with no luck. Neither phone number provided went through, and the email was the only chance.

Well, one day after the stray hold, the family emailed Deb back, but only spoke Spanish. Thankfully Microchip Hunters always shares a photo, and our spanish speaking Microchip Hunter Carmen called the family. Sadly, the dog was already sent with an adopter (foster to adopt).

Chloe's family was devastated. "She was traveling in CIncinnati and Chloe got loose and she looked all over for her but couldn't find her. She lives in Indiana but could be there as soon as tomorrow I believe to get her. It is 3 hours away"

Microchip Hunters communicated to CAC and asked if they could reach out to the adopting family, and without hesitation, they said of course, and the adopters willingly gave Chloe back to her family that loves her so much.
We love facilities and people that do the right thing and believe in the bond dog and their families have with each other.

"We are on our way back and Chloe is coming with us! I want to thank you from the bottom of my heart for helping make this possible!"

DON'T FORGET WHAT MADE THIS POSSIBLE IN THE FIRST PLACE, THE MICROCHIP!!!
​
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Lost Dogs Illinois

Thank you to Associated Humane Societies South in Vineland, NJ for sending Winkie's microchip to Microchip Hunters.

The 2 phone numbers on the microchip for Winkie were not going through, but Microchip Hunters was able to find a number for a relative and sent a text. The relative replied that they would give the family call and share my number.

I received a call just a few minutes later, and the family wanted to pick Winkie up, but disclosed that they don't have money for reclaim fees. It was actually the daughter that called, and her mom has had Winkie and her brother for 10 years. After mentioning that Microchip Hunters could possibly help, I called Associated Humane Societies South who said, "we can help if they can't pay the fees, we just want the dog to go home." So amazing!!!

Welcome home, Winkie
​
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Lost Dogs Illinois

Milo made it home with the help of Microchip Hunters!

Milo was brought into Chicago Animal Care and Control through the Chicago Police Department. His microchip wasn't registered, and the only owner information available was from the facility in Georgia where the chip had been implanted. Unfortunately, the phone number associated with that information led to a dead end.

Microchip Hunters volunteer Deb was able to find a current phone number for the original owner, who explained that he had rehomed Milo to a friend in Georgia but wasn't sure he could find her contact information. He also had no idea how Milo had ended up in Chicago.

Later that evening, Deb was thrilled to receive a text from Milo's new owner! She provided the family with the information they needed to reclaim Milo and notified Chicago Animal Care and Control so they knew who would be picking him up.

Milo is home!
​
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Lost Dogs Illinois

It had been over a week since Chipolas Cage (yes, like Nicholas Cage) had been home!

A French Bulldog was found in Hammond, Indiana about a week ago. His microchip was read at a vet clinic, who told the finder that the chip wasn't registered. From there they posted on many social media sites hoping to hear from an owner. Someone suggested sending the chip to Microchip Hunters, but the finder hadn't written the chip number down. They sent anyway, without it.

Microchip Hunters reached out to fan Jane who has a Facebook group in Indiana, and is always ready to help! Jane reached out to someone to get the dog scanned again.

It took a few days, but today, Jane sent the chip number to me. Meanwhile, the dog was safe with another family, friend of the finder!

I was able to determine where the chip came from, and though the facility had two dogs that this chip matched to (some kind of error), they were able to find owner information for me that matched this dog.

When I reached the family, they were really happy. They moved from Illinois to Hammond about a month ago.
Arrangements were made to get Chipolas picked up, and he is back home with his family that really missed him. Many people did try to claim this dog, so having the microchip was truly a lifesaver!

Thank you to Luis, his family and friends that helped house Chipolas, Jane, the person that scanned him again, and anyone else that shared his found posts! We are grateful for Good Samaritans that share our feelings that dogs and their families belong together.

Welcome home! Per the owner "You made my year!"
​
We are also registering the microchip with the family...