Ruby has put on weight and is back to her old self after her month-long adventure.
The Northland family of an elderly half-blind dog that had been lost for a month is overjoyed she has been found alive.
Fifteen-year-old Ruby, a staffy-lab cross, went missing from a property belonging to Sam Andersen’s dad in Maungaturoto about four weeks ago.
She was spotted on the side of a busy road, a 10 to 15 minutes drive away from home by a kind member of the public who picked her up and took her to the SPCA centre in Whangārei.
The SPCA was able to contact the Andersen family as Ruby was microchipped and registered on the Companion Animal NZ Register.
“Very skinny, hungry, dirty and covered in fleas”, Ruby was equally overjoyed to see her owners.
“I hear she is very happy to be home again, and I’m delighted SPCA was able to help.”
There are currently 34 Northland dogs and cats listed as missing on Companion Animals NZ’s LostPet website.
“Sadly, pets do go missing, which is why microchips are so important,” Aekins said.
“Not only is it important to get your pets microchipped, but it’s vital to also register it with up-to-date contact details.
“Any lost pet can be taken to SPCA, a vet clinic or the council and if they have a registered chip they’re able to be reunited with their owner in no time.”
Jenny Ling is a news reporter and features writer for the Northern Advocate. She has a special interest in covering roading, lifestyle, business, and animal welfare issues.