​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! ​

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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#MicrochipHunters
www.microchiphelp.com
Lost Dogs Illinois

Kane was found as a stray in Chicago by a kind Good Samaritan, who took him to be scanned for a microchip. When they were unable to reach his owner, they forwarded the microchip information to Microchip Hunters for assistance. Kane was then taken to Chicago Animal Care and Control (CACC) so his family would have a place to look for him.

Unfortunately, CACC was also unable to reach Kane's family.

Microchip Hunters volunteer Pauline took this case and was able to connect with Kane's owner. She had just returned home from surgery and shared the news that Kane had gone missing from their home near Indianapolis back in November. She wanted him back but had no way to travel to Chicago to bring him home.
That's when even more amazing people stepped up.

Microchip Hunters reached out to a group to see if anyone could help transport Kane back to Indiana. Margie from Starfish Animal Rescue reached out and said she would see what she could do. After several messages back and forth, she put together a plan to make Kane's trip home possible.

Meanwhile, I contacted CACC to see if Kane could be neutered before leaving the shelter. They happily agreed! Kane's owner completed the authorization paperwork, allowing him to be neutered and released to his temporary foster, Danya.

Danya lovingly cared for Kane until Friday afternoon, when Lori picked him up to begin the journey that would finally take him home.

After months apart, Kane was reunited with his family.

His owner sent us this message:
"I appreciate u. I am truly grateful."  "You guys are amazing I definitely have to get use to someone doing something for me usually I go out my way. I'm not use to this but God knows it feels great. u showed me anything is possible so thank u"

Stories like Kane's remind us that successful reunions don't happen because of one person, they happen because compassionate people work together.

A huge thank you to the finder, Monse, those who suggested help from Microchip Hunters, Microchip Hunter Pauline, the staff at Chicago Animal Care and Control, Margie, Danya and Lori with Starfish Animal Rescue, and everyone else who played a part in bringing Kane safely home. We couldn't do it without you!

Found and Reunited photos below
#MicrochipHunters
www.microchiphelp.com
#LostDogsIllinois

Look at these faces!!!

Microchip Hunters has been very busy this 4th of July weekend!
Here are just some of the dogs and cats that made it home with the help of these incredible volunteers over the weekend. Every reunion represents hours of research, countless phone calls, and a team that never gives up on finding a pet's family. Each with its own story.

Together we can get them home!

Home at Last! The found Shepherd/Akita from #Palatine, IL - her name is Cookie! - is home safe and sound thanks to #MicrochipHunters and Many Paws Global Rescue! Found 7/5/26, Reunited 7/6/26 Welcome home, Cookie!

Cookie's microchip let do a non-working phone number and email.  Microchip Hunters was able to find a family member to help and get Cookie reclaimed quickly from the Palatine police station before taken to rescue for her stray hold!  Special thanks to Jenna for bringing her to the station and keeping her safe!

#LostDogsIllinois #PetFBI ID# 800977 #fblifestyle #microchipswork

​When Waffles arrived at Chicago Animal Care and Control, his microchip led to a disconnected phone number and an old Texas address. The microchip case was sent to Microchip Hunters to see if we could track down his family.

As we researched the case, we learned that the registered owner had sadly passed away.

After multiple attempts to locate family members, I was finally able to connect with the owner's sister here in Chicago. Amazingly, she lives just down the street from where Waffles was found and had been searching for him for two days!

She explained that after her brother passed away in Texas, she brought Waffles to Chicago to give him a home. She was also able to provide veterinary records confirming ownership.

Thanks to the teamwork between the Good Samaritan that found him, Microchip Hunters and Chicago Animal Care and Control, Waffles is safely back where he belongs. Chicago Animal Care and Control has taken care of his grooming needs, and will also be working with the family and organizations to help address his medical needs!

Welcome home, Waffles!

Home at Last! The found Shih Tzu/Poodle from #Chicago, IL, is home safe and sound! Found and Reunited 2026-07-01 with the help of Microchip Hunters who was able to reach the family that was missing "BABY" Welcome home, Baby, and a special thanks to Diana and her cousin Idania for taking her to be scanned for her microchip, submitting to Microchip Hunters, registering to Lost Dogs Illinois/PetFBI and taking care of her on this hot, hot day until her family was reached!
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"Jeanette was amazing she helped us so much!"

London's family had a registered microchip in Florida, but she was found in Chicago!

When Chicago Animal Care and Control (CACC) hit a dead end trying to reach the owner, they submitted the microchip to Microchip Hunters for assistance.

Finding current contact information for London's family wasn't easy, but MH volunteer Sarah got to work tracking down leads. After considerable research, she finally located a working phone number and was able to speak with London's owner.

Unfortunately, the news was unexpected. The owner had recently been hospitalized after calling 911 and was unsure when he would be discharged.

Microchip Hunters immediately notified CACC of the situation and also shared that the owner would be unable to drive once he returned home.

Soon after, we received this wonderful update from CACC: 
"I spoke with the owner, and he provided proof of ownership. We are working with him on transport back home once we know for sure his discharge. Thank you for working to reunite them."

London is safely back home where she belongs, because of everyone working together!
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London didn't need a new home, she just needed to go home.