A microchip recently helped Marion County Animal Services reunite a dog named Nala with her owners in Palm Bay.
On November 20, 2023, the Ocala Police Department arrested a man who had a female dog with him. Marion County Animal Control was summoned to pick up the dog for safekeeping until the man was released from jail or another family member could claim the dog in his place, according to Marion County Public Relations.
Animal Control scanned the dog for a microchip and found one belonging to owners residing in Palm Bay, Florida. An Animal Control officer contacted the rightful owners, and they advised that their dog, Nala, had been missing for the past eight months.
Nala was brought to Marion County Animal Services for holding, and she was also evaluated by the department’s veterinary staff. An Animal Services Mitigation Specialist made arrangements with Nala’s owners to have her returned to their home in Palm Bay, which is more than two hours and 150 miles away.
Mary Faith, an Animal Services volunteer, was heading out of town to be with her family for Thanksgiving, and she offered to transport Nala so that the dog could be reunited with her owners.
On November 22, 2023, Mary helped bring Nala home to her owners in Palm Bay, who were anxiously awaiting the arrival of their furry family member.
“Stories such as this are why it is so important to microchip your pets!” stated Marion County Public Relations in a press release.
No appointment is necessary for owners to get a microchip for their pets at Marion County Animal Services, and it only costs $15 for a registered microchip.
Microchip hours are 10 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. on Tuesday through Saturday at the Marion County Animal Center, which is located at 5701 SE 66th Street in Ocala.
For more information, visit the Marion County Animal Services website.