The best Christmas present ever!

Buster reunited with his family thanks to a microchip

30.12.11

A dog who was missing for three months and was found after being hit by a car on the busy M40 was returned home just in time for Christmas, thanks to a little help from the RSPCA.

Buster had to have his hind leg amputated as a result of the accident, which happened near Gerrards Cross in Buckinghamshire during the early hours of Wednesday, 14 December.

He was spotted by some concerned members of the public, and the local highway authority attended along with RSPCA Animal Collection Officer (ACO) Dennis Lovell.

ACO Lovell collected Buster, who was covered in scratches, holding his leg up and whimpering in pain.

Buster was rushed to Temple End Vets where, following an examination and x-rays, it was decided that his leg had to be amputated because it was so badly damaged.

The RSPCA Buckinghamshire South Branch offered to help pay for part of Buster's veterinary care and bosses at the surgery agreed to carry out the surgery at a reduced price.

The operation was carried out by surgeon Mr Sandy Gill who is very pleased with Buster's progress so far.

Buster's owners tracked down thanks to a microchip 

When Buster was checked to see if he had a microchip it was discovered he was indeed owned.

We managed to track down his owner, Gill Vitaro from Foxborough, near Slough, Berkshire.

An emotional Gill said she was shocked when she was told that three-year-old Buster had been found alive, many weeks after he had run off.

Buster was returned to a delighted Gill and her family on Thursday, 15 December by a representative from our Buckinghamshire South Branch, who transported the very special delivery.

An emotional reunion

Gill said:

We were all absolutely devastated when Buster escaped and we spent weeks searching for him and putting up posters in the neighbourhood.

But you do get to point when you think that he's never coming home.

So when the RSPCA called to say they had found him, I was delighted and shocked all at the same time.

Then I was told what had happened to him and I really found it all quite emotional.

He's back home now and we are all delighted - it is the best Christmas present ever!

'I am just so glad that I had him microchipped'

Gill added:

I would really like to know what happened to him during the three months he was missing.

He was found with a harness on him, so someone must have been looking after him and feeding him, and they must now be going through the same as us not knowing where he is.

I am just so glad that I had him microchipped, and even after all this time it means he was able to come home where he belongs.

He seems to have settled in quite well back at home. Poor boy has been through so much, but we are all just delighted that he is back for good and in time for Christmas!

'This...highlights the importance of microchipping'

ACO Dennis Lovell said:

I am just over the moon that this had a happy ending for all involved.

There were so many people involved in ensuring Buster got home to his family, from the veterinary surgery, the people on the motorway, the Highways Agency and the local RSPCA branch, and it's great he is back home where he belongs.

This also just highlights the importance of microchipping and why it is such a valuable thing to do. We probably would never have been able to reunite Buster with his family without it.

 

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Is your pet microchipped?

Thousands of pets are lost every year and many are never reunited with their owners.

But microchipping can change that, and it's such a simple process.

Find out more about microchipping your pet.

 

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