April 09th, 2026

​Abandoned, not abandoned....

When Chicago Animal Care and Control was unable to reach a dog’s family after he was left at the shelter, they passed along his microchip for our Microchip Hunters team to investigate.

The dog, later known to us as Coffee, was labeled “abandoned” but we know that word doesn’t always tell the full story.

After pulling the microchip registration (originally registered in 2023) and running background searches, I posted for one of our volunteers to work this case, noting that “abandoned” doesn’t always mean the owner chose to leave their dog behind.

Volunteer Cheryl took the case and, despite disconnected phone numbers, she didn't give up! She tracked down the owner through Facebook, and what she found out changed everything

The owner replied to Cheryl's message: “ICE kicked me out of the country and I have no way to return.”

Cheryl asked if there was anyone who could care for Coffee and explained he had been brought to the shelter.

The owner shared: “There’s no one to take care of him. I asked a friend to take him to CACC. I know you’ll take care of him and find him a new family. I replied to the email you sent asking if there was an organization that could help send him to Mexico. I can take care of him in Mexico; he’s my companion.”

After reaching out to a group of rescues, without hesitation, Border Tails Rescue stepped in and said YES, they would pick Coffee up from CACC, care for him, and arrange transport to reunite him with his family in Mexico. They work with dogs in Mexico and were glad to help!

The owner confirmed "I would love to meet up with Coffee again; that would make me very happy"

Because of Cheryl’s persistence, because of incredible rescue partners, and because of one tiny microchip, this story gets a different ending.

Thank you Chicago Animal Care and Control for partnering with Microchip Hunters, to Cheryl for her determination in tracking down Coffee's family, to Harleigh from Border Tails Rescue for stepping up so quickly to help, and to Matteo for caring for Coffee as your own during transport!!!

Welcome back to your family, Coffee.

All this, because of his microchip....

#MicrochipHunters
www.microchiphelp.com
Lost Dogs Illinois