How she got to New York, more than 1,600 miles away, and the kind of life she lived in the city are mysteries.

But thanks to a microchip implanted when she was a kitten, Willow will be reunited in Colorado with her owners, who had long ago given up hope.

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"[Willow's parents, Jamie] Squires and her husband, Chris, were 'shocked and astounded' when they got a call Wednesday from Animal Care & Control, which runs New York City's animal rescue and shelter system.

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"ACC Executive Director Julie Bank said a scanner found the microchip that led to the Squires family.

'All our pets are microchipped,' Squires said. 'If I could microchip my kids, I would.'"

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This is a wonderful example of why we recommend microchipping for all pets.  A collar is certainly helpful, but can be lost or removed and most cats hate collars.  A microchip is a small transmitter, about the size of a grain of rice, that is implanted under the skin, usually between the shoulder blades.  Although this chip can sometimes migrate to other locations, it is a more permanent solution for identification.  The chip is implanted with a syringe and needle very similar to a vaccination, with a minimal amount of discomfort.

Most veterinarians and shelters have a scanner which can read all types of microchips from various manufacturers. This means that if your pet is lost and he or she is taken to a shelter or other clinic, that facility can scan your pet for a microchip number which will be linked to your contact information, allowing your pet to be returned home to you!

Microchipping is available at Liberty Animal Hospital.  The cost of the microchip includes the initial registration.  Annual re-registration is required to keep your records up-to-date with the microchip company.  Please contact our office at (205) 970-0411 to speak with our staff if you have questions or if you would like to schedule to have your pet microchipped.