OCALA, FL (352today.com) – A Palm Bay family probably thought they would never see their dog Nala again. After all, she had been missing for eight months.
But thanks to microchipping, the dog that ended up at Marion County Animal Services (MCAS) is now back with her rightful owners more than 150 miles away.
Nala’s Tale
How Nala ended up in Ocala is an interesting tale.
MCAS says on November 20, the Ocala Police Department (OPD) arrested a man who had a dog with him. In situations like that, MCAS says it’s standard procedure for OPD to contact Marion County Animal Control (MCAC) to pick up the animal for safekeeping. Authorities hold the animal until the person is released from jail or until a family member can claim the pet on the person’s behalf.
Animal control officers (ACO) scanned the dog for a microchip and found one. That led them to a family in Palm Bay, Florida.
The couple was able to correctly identify the dog, named Nala, and informed offices she had been missing for the past eight months.
A Volunteer Offers to Help Reunite Nala
Reuniting Nala with her rightful owners took a bit of coordination since the family lived more than two hours away.
MCAS’ mitigation specialist Kari Hunyadi worked with Nala’s owners and a shelter volunteer to coordinate the reunion.
MCAS says volunteer Mary Faith was heading out of town to be with her family for Thanksgiving and offered to transport Nala so she could be reunited with her family.
“On November 22, Mary helped reunite Nala with her owners, who were anxiously awaiting her arrival,” said MCAS in a news release.
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While this set of circumstances may be unique, MCAS staffers say this is why it is important to microchip your pets.
At MCAS, microchipping costs $15 and no appointment is necessary to have it done. Your dog’s information gets entered into a database and can lead to happy reunions like this one.
Microchipping services are performed 10 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Tuesday through Saturday at the Marion County Animal Center, located at 5701 SE 66th St. in Ocala.
LOST A PET? Check Marion County Animal Services website