JJ is one lucky black cat. In late May, thanks to microchipping, he rejoined delighted mom Sparr García and his feline sister, Cake, 17 months after he disappeared from his Pacific Beach home. A kindly soul found JJ wandering the streets just 12 blocks from his home and took him to the Gaines Street shelter of the county’s Department of Animal Services (DAS). Shelter staff scan all stray animals for microchips. JJ was fortunate to have a microchip with valid contact information filed with a national registration company. Only four percent of lost or stray cats brought into shelters — and 35 percent of dogs – are reunited with their families. Microchips better the odds of reunification, but only if contact information is current. Just one week before JJ was returned home, a microchipped Chihuahua was returned to her Chula Vista family after a five-year absence. “National registration (service) is a plus. After Hurricane Katrina, we had microchips linked to a vet clinic, but the clinic was destroyed,” said DAS Lt. Dan DeSousa. The story began in December 2009 while Garcia was away for Christmas and a friend was looking after her cats. It was then that JJ got out. García posted signs in the neighborhood and checked shelters, but to no avail. “He’s a really friendly cat. I’m sure he went up to someone and they probably took him home. He’s probably been an indoor cat for the last year and a half,” García said. García said she was stunned when her fiancé got the call from DAS that JJ had been found. She said she was also grateful she had listed a secondary contact number on the microchip registration, since her phone number had since changed. Although she said it feels surreal to have JJ back, she said she’s happy the feline has reintegrated rapidly into the family and that Cake recognized him. She praises the care JJ received at the shelter, where he received a checkup and shots, ensuring he was healthy for his return home. She also recommends microchipping for pets. “It’s really inexpensive to get your pet microchipped. It’s so worth it,” she said. DAS offers microchipping at all three county shelters every Thursday from 1 to 3 p.m. for $20 per pet. For details, visit www.sddac.com.