How a Microchip Helped Giget Get Home

A 7-year-old Jack Russell Terrier who had been reported missing last April has been found! Giget, the traveling pooch, had last been seen near Philadelphia, Pennsylvania and was recently found 2500 miles away from home in Portland Oregon, reported Steven Dubois of the Associated Press.

A good Samaritan found the missing dog and brought her to The County’s Bonnie Hays Animal Shelter managed by Deborah Wood. From there, she and was able to find the dog’s owners by the microchip implanted in Giget.

“DogThe microchip, manufactured by the company PetLink, not only saved Giget; the company is also paying for her flight home! Giget’s little trek received a lot of attention drawing others in who wanted to pay for the flight. While her owner would like to remain anonymous, she would like everyone to know how grateful she is for the support as she couldn’t afford to fly to Oregon and bring Giget back herself.

Giget’s journey between April and September will remain a mystery, but when she was brought to the shelter she was in relatively good shape. “We have no idea how she came from Pennsylvania to Oregon, but we are thrilled that she will be going home safe and sound,” Wood tells Dubios.

This is just one of many reasons why it's important to microchip your pet. To read more on microchipping, visit Dr. Jeff Werber’s article That Microchip Just Might Save Your Pet’s Life!

If you have any questions or concerns, you should always visit or call your veterinarian -- they are your best resource to ensure the health and well-being of your pets.

INTERESTING FACT ABOUT YOUR PET: Dogs can be trained to to detect cancer and other diseases in humans. Cancerous cells release different metabolic waste products than healthy cells in the human body. Dogs may even be able to sniff out cancer cells simply through smelling someone’s breath.