A dog named Chong is back with his family after five years apart because workers at an Indiana shelter kept investigating until they determined where he belonged.
The search ended with a trip across state lines, as Chong's original owner came from Nebraska to Indiana to bring him home.
Here's what to know
Determining which family Chong belonged with took several days after he arrived at the Hendricks County Animal Shelter, staff said in a Facebook post.
As InkFreeNews reported, that effort included contacting Lincoln Animal Control in Nebraska, the microchip company, and Chong's original owner.
Staff said on Facebook they reunited Chong with his original family after confirming the connection. The person listed on the dog's most recent microchip records never responded or came to claim him, according to the shelter. Instead, they managed to find Chong's original family, whom he had been separated from for over five years.
Employees said the reunion left "no dry eyes" at the shelter after Chong's previous owner traveled from Nebraska to Indiana upon learning he had been found. The two warmly embraced in footage shared by the rescue.
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"That poor pupper, he was saying boy let me tell you about the last 5 yrs so glad you came and got me," a Facebook commenter wrote.
When the full family came together again, staff said Chong seemed to recognize the family's other dog, too. The shelter showed video of the two dogs remaking acquaintances.
"He recognized not only his owner, but his brother as well!" the shelter wrote. "He has a full home filled with open arms eagerly awaiting his return!"
More background
The case highlights a common challenge with microchips. They only work as well as the information attached to them. Chong's situation could have been left in limbo if staff had not kept digging.
Shelter officials said Chong is heading back to the home where family members had been waiting for him since he disappeared.
A commenter gushed, "That's amazing!!! To be reunited after 5 years and even a different state!! Way to go Hendricks County!!!"
What's being done?
Reconnecting Chong with the family that had lost him required the shelter to keep going beyond the first information it found. Staff worked with Lincoln Animal Control and the microchip company to piece together the dog's history.
The shelter captured the emotion of the moment in its Facebook post.
"We are astonished and impressed that the owner came all the way from Nebraska to reunite with her lost pup of 5 years!" they exclaimed.
Where can I learn more?
Chong's reunion is one of several stories about lost dogs making it back home with help from the people who found them.
• In Utah, a senior shelter dog sparked a miracle reunion with an owner from over a decade earlier.
• In South Africa, carers recognized Terry's scars and realized he survived six years alone.
• In Cincinnati, a pit bull mix beat the shelter deadline when his owner recognized him online.
• In Cleveland, firefighters pulled a dog from a drain before a microchip solved her disappearance.
• In California, an AI photo match brought Sweetie home after weeks missing 33 miles away.
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