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polychromatic) wrote2019-06-23 10:09 pm
polychromatic) wrote2019-06-23 10:09 pm
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A mother and daughter pair brought in a stray cat they had found recently, professing that he ran into their house off the street a week after the passing of their dog. He is cute as heck with bright green eyes and long black fur, and he head-butted me immediately when I offered my hand for him to sniff. It's easy to see that both of them are absolutely in love with this charming little guy.
"He was just skin and bones when he came to us, so we've really fattened him up these past three weeks! We've been looking around for lost cat signs in the neighbourhood and haven't seen any. He doesn't have a collar or a tattoo so we're sort of hoping he doesn't have a microchip either."
Well, you can probably guess what happened next.
When the microchip reader beeped, I actually couldn't help saying "Oh, I'm so sorry..." because I could just see the absolute disappointment on their faces - mom especially. I noted the number down and told them I would look it up to see if we could track down this adorable cat's family. I tell my boss that I am probably about to break a girl's heart.
Ten minutes later, I identify myself as a veterinarian on the phone and the woman on the other line is immediately ecstatic: "Oh my god, have you found my cat?!" He's been missing for six months, they've put up signs in their neighbourhood and have had various people calling about sightings. She can't stop telling the people around her that her cat his been found and she is so, so thrilled! "That microchip was the best thing I could have done!" she says to me after thanking me profusely.
I am near tears the entire time because I am a big marshmallow when it comes to people and their pets.
I coordinate between both parties, gaining permission to share their information with each other. I assure the cat's owner that he looks good and has been receiving the best of care with the people who welcomed him into their home. I assure the good Samaritans that he is well-loved.
(I do my best to dodge all the insinuations that the mother is throwing my way that he "ran away" from his home because he was ill-cared for. She wants to ensure she is surrendering him to a good home and she is wondering if this woman will sell him to their family. She has clearly given her heart away to this cat and I am truly sad for her, but also relieved when her young daughter sensibly points out that these people cared enough to have him microchipped and he was likely well-loved and socialized given how friendly he is.)
I gently try to steer mom in the direction that maybe it is time for them to look for a new furry family member and that they have really done a wonderful thing in aiding the reunion of this cat with his family. Given that I have essentially ruined their day, I graciously tell them that I am not charging for my time today.
So there you go! My first personal experience with the success of microchips!
"He was just skin and bones when he came to us, so we've really fattened him up these past three weeks! We've been looking around for lost cat signs in the neighbourhood and haven't seen any. He doesn't have a collar or a tattoo so we're sort of hoping he doesn't have a microchip either."
Well, you can probably guess what happened next.
When the microchip reader beeped, I actually couldn't help saying "Oh, I'm so sorry..." because I could just see the absolute disappointment on their faces - mom especially. I noted the number down and told them I would look it up to see if we could track down this adorable cat's family. I tell my boss that I am probably about to break a girl's heart.
Ten minutes later, I identify myself as a veterinarian on the phone and the woman on the other line is immediately ecstatic: "Oh my god, have you found my cat?!" He's been missing for six months, they've put up signs in their neighbourhood and have had various people calling about sightings. She can't stop telling the people around her that her cat his been found and she is so, so thrilled! "That microchip was the best thing I could have done!" she says to me after thanking me profusely.
I am near tears the entire time because I am a big marshmallow when it comes to people and their pets.
I coordinate between both parties, gaining permission to share their information with each other. I assure the cat's owner that he looks good and has been receiving the best of care with the people who welcomed him into their home. I assure the good Samaritans that he is well-loved.
(I do my best to dodge all the insinuations that the mother is throwing my way that he "ran away" from his home because he was ill-cared for. She wants to ensure she is surrendering him to a good home and she is wondering if this woman will sell him to their family. She has clearly given her heart away to this cat and I am truly sad for her, but also relieved when her young daughter sensibly points out that these people cared enough to have him microchipped and he was likely well-loved and socialized given how friendly he is.)
I gently try to steer mom in the direction that maybe it is time for them to look for a new furry family member and that they have really done a wonderful thing in aiding the reunion of this cat with his family. Given that I have essentially ruined their day, I graciously tell them that I am not charging for my time today.
So there you go! My first personal experience with the success of microchips!