Baloo's microchip proved a bare necessity

12:18pm Monday 21st January 2008

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A Croydon woman has been reunited with her beloved pooch after he went missing four years ago.

Tracy Ferridge's Staffordshire bull terrier, Baloo, escaped from her home in 2004 and had not been seen since.

“Someone thought they saw him in the back of a car a few days after he went missing, so I thought I’d never see him again.”

Tracy Ferridge

"Someone thought they saw him in the back of a car a few days after he went missing, so I thought I'd never see him again," she said.

But the dog, named after the Jungle Book character, was picked up by police in Peckham and taken to Battersea Dogs and Cats Home last week.

Luckily for Tracy she had Baloo microchipped so when staff at the home scanned him they found her address.

She said: "I would advise anyone who has not had their animal microchipped to do so. I was so excited when the card arrived telling me Baloo had been found. I never had another dog after he went missing, as it wouldn't have been the same."

Lucy Reade, manager of Battersea's Lost Dogs and Cats Line, said: "Last year we reunited over 2,500 lost dogs and cats with their owners, however out of the staggering 5,800 stray dogs we took in during 2007 over 3,400 were left unclaimed because we had no way of contacting their owners.

"We are hoping Tracy's happy ending encourages more people to get their pet microchipped as it is the only way of permanently identifying your pet, ensuring if they get lost organisations like Battersea can contact you.

"Most importantly if you move or change mobile numbers then remember to update your contact details with Petlog."

Anyone who has lost or found a dog or cat can call Battersea's Lost Dogs and Cats Line on 0901 477 8477. The line is open from 8am to 8pm Monday to Sunday or you can file a report at dogshome.org.