CHICAGO, Ill. — After five years missing, a 14-year-old cat named Binks is finally back home thanks to a microchip and a kind stranger.
Binks vanished from his family years ago, but a recent discovery on the North Side of Chicago set off a chain of events that led to a joyful reunion. A woman named Shainy found the cat and brought him to a veterinarian to be scanned for a microchip. Although the chip still listed a contact, initial attempts to reach the registered owner were unsuccessful.
Determined to help, Shainy continued to care for Binks, providing him with food, water, and plenty of affection while seeking further help. She eventually contacted Microchip Hunters, a volunteer group run through the nonprofit Lost Dogs Illinois. The organization specializes in tracing outdated or inactive microchips and ID tags to reconnect lost pets with their families.
Volunteer Weslee took on Binks’ case. After reaching several dead ends, Weslee managed to contact Binks’ owner’s ex-husband, listed as an emergency contact on the microchip. The man was surprised to learn Binks was alive—and didn’t hesitate to make the drive from Indianapolis to Chicago during a dust storm to bring the cat home.
“Binks went missing from his family five years ago, but thanks to a kind-hearted Good Samaritan and a microchip that still had a trail to follow, he’s finally back where he belongs,” Lost Dogs Illinois wrote in a Facebook post shared on May 17 as part of its 2025 Microchip Hunter Reunion Stories.
This heartwarming reunion underscores the importance of keeping pet microchip information up to date—and how a little persistence and kindness can go a long way.
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