A Family Thought Their Dog Was Gone Forever. Nearly Three Years Later, a Microchip Changed Everything.
For one San Diego family, the disappearance of their beloved dog left a painful question that lasted for almost three years: Would they ever see Colby again?
Colby, a six-year-old Maltipoo, disappeared on September 27, 2023. His family reported him missing, but months passed without any sign of the dog.
Then, in September 2026, something unexpected happened.
San Diego Humane Law Enforcement officers responded to a report about an abandoned dog at a Safe Sleeping site in San Diego. The dog was brought in so he could receive care and a routine examination.
During that process, workers scanned him for a microchip.
The scan revealed that the dog was Colby.
His microchip information connected him to his family, who had reported him missing nearly three years earlier.
When Colby’s owner, Cindy, received the phone call, the news was difficult to believe. After so much time without knowing where he was, her family suddenly learned that Colby had been found.
The family quickly began preparing for his return.
Colby needed some medical attention after being found. His fur was badly matted, and he had fleas and a possible skin infection. The humane society provided grooming, vaccinations and a wellness examination before he returned home.
Soon afterward, Colby was reunited with Cindy and her young son, Gregory.
The reunion was possible because Colby had been microchipped and his family had reported him missing.
The San Diego Humane Society used the story to remind pet owners why microchipping can be so important. Unlike a collar, a microchip is permanent identification that can help shelters and animal welfare organizations connect a lost pet with its family.
After nearly three years apart, Colby was finally home.
Source: PEOPLE, September 11, 2026, with information from the San Diego Humane Society.