Pet reunited after four year search!

Antony and Nikki Barlow from Tamworth in Staffordshire are pleased to be supporting National Microchipping Month, co-ordinated by the Kennel Club. They would like to help raise awareness of the importance of microchipping by sharing their story, after recently being reunited with their eight year old Bull Terrier, Alfie who was stolen during a burglary four years and eleven days ago.

"I knew Alfie had been stolen because his lead had been removed from the hook in the kitchen door and he could not open the safety gate that kept him in the kitchen while we were at work," said Nikki. "We were extremely worried and devastated."

Antony and Nikki searched high and low with friends for him, placing reward posters all over the town and adverts in the local papers. They also visited all the local dog homes they could think of and sent posters to all the nearby vets and the police. However, there was still no trace of Alfie.

Antony said: "When your pet goes missing you panic and go through a range of emotions. We contacted Petlog, the Kennel Club's pet reunification service, who were very sympathetic. It's good to know that there is a network you can turn to for help with practical suggestions and support through an extremely difficult time."

It wasn't until four years later that Antony and Nikki received the phone call they had been longing for. Stokenchurch Dog Rescue and Welfare in High Wycombe, Buckinghamshire, called with the news that Alfie had been traced. As Alfie was microchipped they were able to scan the microchip and read his unique Petlog reference number, and contact Antony and Nikki.

Nikki said: "As soon as we heard the news we left the house straight away to bring Alfie home. We were shocked, bewildered, but ultimately so overjoyed. He was very dirty and very thin but otherwise fine. The staff explained that Alfie had been brought in by a couple who had found him on the roadside. We are so happy to have him home after all this time and my - is he making the most of it? He's on the sofa, on the bed. He's eating better now and is starting to look more like his old self."

Anthony adds: "It was absolutely fantastic to see Alfie again. We were inspired by his bravery and courage and so happy to have him back home safe."

Nikki said: "We're sharing our story to encourage other dog owners to get their pets microchipped as soon as possible. He was approximately 100 miles from home and it was the microchip that enabled Alfie to be traced back to us. We are so thankful to Petlog as without their help and support our hope wouldn't have lasted this long."

Margaret Nawrockyi from Dog Theft Action said: "We're delighted Alfie has been returned home safely and hope many more pet owners will be encouraged to see the benefits of getting their pets microchipped should they go missing or get stolen."

For further information about Petlog and National Microchipping Month, please contact 0844 463 3999 or visit www.petlog.org.uk. To find out more about Dog Theft Action, please visit www.dogtheftaction.com.

To submit your own re-unification story, please e-mail us at petlogadmin@thekennelclub.org.uk

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