Five days.
That’s how long Norman, a charming domestic short hair, was lost in the wild labyrinth of Kelowna’s neighborhoods. While he was lost, the weather was not friendly to him. There were thunderous roars echoing through the valley, each booming echo more terrifying than the last, and relentless downpours that turned the once familiar streets into a cold, inhospitable landscape.
Norman had always been a homebody, but in this fateful week, he found himself a reluctant adventurer with no collar or ID tags to identify him. Despite the grim circumstances, Norman‘ story became a heartening testament to the efficacy of modern technology in pet care and the unwavering dedication of the BC SPCA Kelowna community animal center.
On the fifth day of his unexpected odyssey, Norman was discovered by a compassionate neighbor wandering through their backyard. Recognizing that the feline was lost, they swiftly brought him to our animal center. Upon his arrival, our experienced staff scanned Norman for a microchip – and the hitherto anonymous cat suddenly had an identity.
Our team was able to immediately pull up Norman‘s records and found a contact number for his worried family. Within a minute, the owners were contacted. The call was one of relief, gratitude, and anticipation. Norman‘ family had been looking for him tirelessly, their worry compounded by the ominous thunder and torrential rain. Now, they were going to be reunited with their beloved pet, all thanks to a small piece of technology embedded under his skin.
This real-life reunion story underlines the critical importance of microchipping our pets and registering them with the BC Pet Registry. The tiny, grain-sized device had made the difference between a prolonged separation and an expedited reunion. It’s an assurance, a beacon of hope that transcends the traditional limitations of collars or ID tags, which can easily be lost or removed.
Keeping the pet’s contact information on the BC Pet Registry up to date is equally crucial. Had the information been outdated, the outcome might have been very different. Their foresight ensured a joyful reunion with Norman, reaffirming the difference current contact information can make.
All our BC SPCA community animal centers and BC Pet Registry veterinary and shelter partners are committed to reuniting lost pets with their families, but we need your help to do so effectively. Make sure your pet is microchipped and register their microchip with the BC Pet Registry. Keep your contact details updated. In doing so, you make it possible for stories like Normans to have a happy ending, regardless of the storms they may face.
Remember, not every thunderstorm leads to a gloomy tale; some roar to herald a joyous reunion. Have you registered your microchip with the BC Pet Registry yet?
