When Guelph residents Emily Rutledge and Crystal Chilvers lost their beloved black cat Ruby, they assumed she’d darted just a few feet from their front door. After all, Ruby was an indoor cat—curious, playful, but strictly housebound. She disappeared during a thunderstorm, and despite the couple’s frantic search efforts and posters plastered across their neighbourhood, Ruby was missing for nearly a month. 

Then the call came. Ruby had been found—in Toronto. Ninety kilometres away. 

As reported by The Picton Harold, a Toronto resident spotted Ruby outside her Front Street apartment building, fed her, and took her to a vet. There, a quick microchip scan revealed Ruby’s identity and led to her joyful reunion with her family. 

This incredible story is more than a heartwarming homecoming—it’s a powerful reminder of the life-saving role microchips play in reuniting lost pets with their loved ones. 

Why Microchipping Matters—Even for Indoor Pets

It’s a common belief: “My cat doesn’t go outside, so I don’t need to microchip them.” But Ruby’s story shows just how quickly the unexpected can happen. A door left ajar during a storm. A sudden noise. A curious sniff beyond the threshold. That’s all it takes. 

Indoor pets aren’t immune to accidents or moments of panic—and once they’re out, they may not know how to get home. Collars can fall off or be removed, but a microchip provides a permanent, scannable link back to you. 

Ruby disappeared during a thunderstorm. This isn’t unusual—Canadian data shows a significant increase in missing pets during loud and chaotic events like storms and fireworks. According to PetRadar, 34% of all missing pet reports in Canada occur during the summer months, when windows and doors are more likely to be open and fear triggers are more common. 

A survey conducted by Rover found that 61% of Canadian pets are afraid of fireworks, and over one-third of those pets have attempted to flee because of it. Alarmingly, 1 in 4 actually succeeds in escaping their home or yard. 

What Is a Microchip?

A microchip is a tiny implant, about the size of a grain of rice, placed just under your pet’s skin—usually between the shoulder blades. It carries a unique ID number that, when scanned by a vet or shelter, pulls up your contact information from a secure database. 

It doesn’t track your pet’s location (it’s not a GPS device), but it does provide the critical piece of information that connects a found pet to their family. 

Take the First Step

At Toronto Humane Society, we see cases like Ruby’s more often than you’d expect—animals who wander further than their families ever thought possible. That’s why we encourage every pet parent—especially those with indoor pets—to get their animals microchipped. 

It’s a simple, low-cost procedure that takes just minutes—and can make a lifetime of difference. 

Already Microchipped? Keep It Updated!

A microchip is only effective if your contact information is current. Have you moved recently? Changed your phone number? Make sure your chip registration reflects those updates. 

Book a Microchip Appointment Today

Visit torontohumanesociety.com to learn more or schedule an appointment.  It might just be the best decision you ever make—for both of you.