FORT WAYNE, Ind. (WOWO): A Fort Wayne cat that went missing five years ago is returned home thanks to a microchip.

On Monday, Virginia Fryback of Fort Wayne was contacted about her lost cat Charlie.  The 10-year-old cat showed up at Fort Wayne Animal Care and Control. Workers scanned the cat and discovered Charlie had a microchip that identified Fryback as the owner.  

According to shelter spokesperson Peggy Bender, “We routinely scan all lost pets for a microchip and it’s wonderful when we find one and can notify an owner that we have their lost pet. The chip has likely saved Charlie’s life because most people choose to adopt a much younger cat.”

Fryback said that she is extremely grateful that her veterinarian convinced her to get a microchip for Charlie when he was a kitten. “I never thought I see him again,” said Fryback.