UPPER EAST SIDE (PIX11) – When Shira Meged’s beloved dog went missing in November, it seemed like the whole city started searching.
Nine months later, the search continues for the 4-year-old Upper East Side pup that went missing on a walk with a dog sitter in Central Park.
“I’m trying not to give up hope,” Meged said. “I think about her every day.”
Locals initially reported sightings of Rosie in Central Park, prompting search parties with up to 50 people, many strangers who found Meged’s story on flyers and social media. Meged hired a professional dog tracker, called vets and shelters, and offered a cash reward, but to no avail.
“At some point the sightings just stopped and that was pretty devastating,” Meged said.
The search for Rosie is now focused on her microchip. Rosie, like many dogs in New York City, has a microchip that Meged keeps updated online. If someone has Rosie and brings her to a vet, police precinct or groomer, a chip scan could reunite the two.
Now, volunteers are contacting vets, shelters, hospitals and police precincts to remind them to scan all lost animals for chips.
“Microchipped lost pets are 3X more likely to be returned to their owners than those that aren't,” said organizers of the Check the Chip for Rosie Campaign. “This gives us so much hope for Rosie and all other lost pets that have been microchipped.”
Microchips are a great failsafe for when pets are lost, and they’re very common across the country, said Lexi Kaul of Best Friends Animal Society Pet Lifesaving Center.
When a stray animal comes into a shelter, their whole body is scanned for a chip. If one is found, the animal is placed on a longer holding period while its owner or shelter is contacted, Kaul said.
“Microchips are such a beautiful thing,” Kaul said. “The microchip plays a crucial role… on the back end.”
Microchips are about the size of a grain of rice and are placed between a pet’s shoulder blades for around $20-$50, Kaul said. Many adoption centers and vets offer discounted vaccination and microchip clinics, and most shelters chip animals before adoption.
Chips only work as much as they are accurate, so pet owners need to consistently update their pets' microchips with contact information for the owners, Kaul said.
Microchips are also a great first step for any locals who find a stray pet and want to help, Kaul said. Kaul recommends bringing any found pets to a vet, shelter, or potentially a pet store for a free scan. Many shelters will then help provide resources like food and crates for found animals, Kaul said.
“We try to empower finders to help find the owners,” Kaul said.
Chips are just one important piece to the puzzle when it comes to protecting pets, Kaul said. Pet owners should also keep identification collars and secure leashes in good condition, and be sure pets have good basic training, Kaul said.
Despite the continued heartbreak, Meged is heartened by the community support and hopeful Rosie can be found.
“We’re not giving up hope,” Meged said. “If we don’t have hope, what do we have?”
