All the way from Germany!!!

Microchip Hunters received an email from Nassau County Animal Services Florida regarding a microchipped cat. 

We only knew the microchip number and that he was
found in Yulee FL. Shelter staff advised the chip was from Germany, but could trace it no further.

Our volunteer Jeanette researched the German manufacturer and emailed for owner information. The company wrote her back with the owner’s name, but said the address was in Germany, and the dog was named “Juan.” Jeanette hoped that the language barrier was responsible for turning a cat into a dog! 

Jeanette did a background search using the owner's name, but used Yulee, FL as the town and state since the cat was found there. She found a match in a nearby town, and saw there were relatives in Yulee FL so was hopeful this was the owner! She posted this information to the Microchip Hunter group and Microchip Hunter volunteer Ann took it from there.

Ann saw that there was a relative with an unusual surname and checked Facebook for that name. There were only three matches. They lived in Florida and had attended school in Germany. She looked up the German school and it was less than ten miles from the town in Germany that was listed on Juan’s chip. There had to be a connection! She checked their friend list on Facebook and the owner's name was there. Ann was 100% sure this was Juan the cat’s family.

Ann sent the owner a message on Facebook, but it didn't appear that she or her relative were active there, so she sent a text. Per Ann: “The text response was quick, but short and didn't really answer my question. I sent a photo of the kitty and still got no response. A few minutes later, I asked if they were from Germany. They immediately responded in German. I used Google translate to send a message again saying the kitty was found and asked about Jessica, who was the owner. They said that the kitty has been missing for two years."

"I immediately got a text from the owner. She said her friend told her that her cat was found and yes they came from Germany and the cat's name was Juan, and she was ‘sooooooo happy.’
Two years before, Juan had gotten away from a petsitter. This was shortly before Hurricane Irma, so she thought Juan was dead.”

Juan has been picked up and is now home after 2 years!!! We wish we knew where he has been!!!

Nassau County Animal Shelter staff did a great job on this microchip. They knew the chip was International, but they just did not have the time or expertise to track down the owner. Shelter staff can’t make a time commitment like this one. It took the Microchip Hunters hours of research.

Welcome home Juan!!! You have been through a lot!!!