Carol Peterson is urging fellow pet owners to prioritise microchipping and ensure their details are updated after her cat was discovered in Beveridge following a disappearance from his home near Melbourne.
In a heartwarming tale of reunion, ragdoll cat Jock is back home after a journey that took him nearly 100km away.
Jock went missing on September 30, 2023, from Carrum Beach in the south-eastern suburbs of Melbourne.
To make matters worse, Carol and Jock were set to move to Queensland two weeks after his disappearance.
“I flooded social media, put up posters and walked around local neighbourhoods yelling his name at all hours,” Carol said.
“Everything was in motion for the move to Queensland.
“I was devastated, but I had to go.
“Jock’s microchip was my only hope that I would ever see him again.”
Amazingly, almost four months after Jock disappeared, Carol received a call from Mitchell Shire Council’s local laws team informing her he had been found in Beveridge.
Council is taking this opportunity to remind pet owners to register their pets.
Mayor Louise Bannister said Jock’s reunion with his owner highlighted the importance of pet microchipping in safeguarding beloved animals and ensuring their safe return home.
“Council is committed to promoting the welfare of pets and encouraging responsible ownership practices,” she said.
“It’s a simple yet effective measure that can make all the difference in ensuring their safety and wellbeing.”
Reflecting on Jock’s unplanned trip, Carol noted the importance of microchipping and keeping records updated to ensure lost pets were reunited with their owners.
“Microchipping and keeping your details up to date is something everyone needs to do,” she said.
“There’s no chance Jock would have made it back if he wasn’t registered.
“When looking for Jock, I saw a lot of animals that can’t be reunited with their family because they aren’t microchipped.”
Carol said Jock was now settling in and adjusting to his new life in Queensland.
“I can’t express how relieved I am,” she said.
“An important member of my family is back because he was registered.”
Mitchell Shire Council pet registration renewals are due by April 10 each year for animals over three months of age.