In this column we often talk about the importance of having identification on pets; the most secure form being a microchip. The following is the perfect example of how a chip helped reunite one very lucky cat and her owner.

Back in March 2019, a gentleman came into the shelter looking to adopt a feline friend. “Meatball” stole his heart with her gorgeous grey coat and kitten like antics. At 6-months-old, she had been brought in as a stray from Salem County and was suffering from a minor case of malnutrition and dehydration.

Meatball was friendly, which meant that someone had been caring for her and socializing her, but something in her circumstances caused her to be reported to the animal control officer. Whatever happened to cause that, her luck seemed to have changed when Ryan walked in and fell in love with her.

Certainly, a domestic cat that had lived all of her adult life inside a house would have no chance against the mountain lions, bobcats and coyotes of the wilderness.

A few months later Ryan was settled into his permanent New Mexico residence, a couple of hours away from where he had lost Meatball, when he got a call from a veterinary clinic just outside Ojo Sarco telling him that they had a cat with a microchip registered to him. The clinic put him in touch with the lady that had found the cat and Meatball’s story began to unfold.

Shelter needs: Canned, pate’ style cat and dog food, soft dog treats, canned chicken, peanut butter, cat nip, kong toys, liquid hand soap & sanitizer, paper towels, gift cards for grocery & pet supply outlets.

Source: The story of Meatball or why you should get a microchip for your pet!