This unusual PetLynx HomeSafe story is an excellent example of why all companion animals should have some form of permanent identification, such as a tattoo or microchip.
"We were elated when we thought we had found our domestic long-haired cat, Lulu, in a backyard just three houses down from ours," wrote Nina S. of Calgary "She appeared nervous, hungry and thirsty, but otherwise healthy. We considered that 'Lulu' may have became disorientated after being chased into a hiding spot and then had no idea how to get home again.
"But there was something in the shape of this cat's face,... the density of her coat and the way she reacted to our dog made us doubt ourselves. Was this really our Lulu, we wondered? It sure looked like her but...."Lulu does not have a tattoo and wasn't wearing a collar when she was lost ... but she is microchipped. The pet family took the mystery cat to the CARE Centre Animal Hospital where a microchip scan and an X-ray confirmed that this Lulu look-a-like did not have a microchip ... but did have a tattoo in her ear. They were able to trace the real owners of this cat -- which is named Smeagol -- and confirm that they had made a mistake! Needless to say, they were very disappointed!
"But there was something in the shape of this cat's face,... the density of her coat and the way she reacted to our dog made us doubt ourselves. Was this really our Lulu, we wondered? It sure looked like her but...."Lulu does not have a tattoo and wasn't wearing a collar when she was lost ... but she is microchipped. The pet family took the mystery cat to the CARE Centre Animal Hospital where a microchip scan and an X-ray confirmed that this Lulu look-a-like did not have a microchip ... but did have a tattoo in her ear. They were able to trace the real owners of this cat -- which is named Smeagol -- and confirm that they had made a mistake! Needless to say, they were very disappointed!
"Quiet unexpectedly, the real Lulu strolled into the house a few days later!" exclaimed Nina. "This time, there was no doubt in our minds that it was her. After four nights and five days missing she found her own way home on her own. Only Lulu knows the full story, but she was matted, hungry and extremely thirsty."
The funny part of this story, adds Nina is that because of all the flyers they delivered and posters they had put up, they keep getting calls from people in their neighborhood reporting that they have found Lulu. In actual fact, it is Smeago that they are seeing. Even the family dog still thinks he is seeing double!
"Thank you for the fantastic advice on the PetLynx website and especially for the list of helpful hints we also received from the Calgary Humane Society," concluded Nina S. "Keep up the great work!"
Posted by Terri Perrin, Online Communications Editor
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