Mar 26, 2026 19:00:00

A person who kept updating the microchip information of their lost dog for 11 years and finally succeeded in being reunited with it.

In Japan, the Animal Welfare and Management Act

mandates the microchipping and registration of dogs and cats sold. In the United States, while microchipping is not mandated by federal law, it is required at the state level, and is also mandatory for dogs with a history of biting. A woman has emerged who, by continuously renewing her pet's microchip, was able to reunite with her beloved dog that went missing 11 years ago.

Woman who never stopped updating her lost dog's chip reunites with him after 11 years | CBC Radio
https://www.cbc.ca/radio/asithappens/11-year-dog-reunion-9.7140780

In 2015, Jordyn Koziak, a resident of Pennsylvania, USA, lost her beloved dog, Fortical, in her backyard. Then, on March 21, 2026, Koziak received news that Fortical had been found. However, since Fortical had gone missing 11 years earlier, she initially thought it was a 'nasty prank.'

When Ms. Koziak received the call, she reportedly said, 'This is a prank. It's not funny at all.' The man who called then apparently said, 'No, ma'am. We're looking after your dog.'

Koziak says that afterwards, staff from ACCT Philly , an animal shelter and control center in Philadelphia, sent him several photos of the lost dog they had rescued, which made him realize that Fotical had been found.

When Fortical went missing in 2015, another dog owned by Koziak also disappeared. The other dog was soon returned to Koziak's home, but Fortical remained missing for 11 years.

Koziak apparently suspected for a long time that Fortical had been stolen from her yard. Later, Koziak got married, had children, and moved to Luzerne County, Pennsylvania, but she never stopped updating Fortical's microchip information. 'I never gave up hope, because, as you can see, I'm persistent,' Koziak said.

It was a little girl from Philadelphia who found the lost Fortical, and Koziak said, 'Fortical is very gentle and friendly. He's always been that way. So he went straight up to the girl and they became friends.' 'The girl took Fortical home, and her parents made him a hot dog. However, the girl already had other animals, so they couldn't keep Fortical. So they contacted animal control.'

Subsequently, ACCT Philly scanned the microchip of the lost dog that had been found, and it was determined to be a fortical, which led to the owner, Mr. Koziak, being contacted.

A photo of Fotical from 2012

'This reunion is touching and heartwarming, but it also serves as a reminder of an important point: microchipping pets is one of the simplest and most effective ways to ensure they can return home if they get lost,' said Michaela Allen, spokesperson for ACCT Philly.

When Koziak and her entire family, including her three children, went to pick up Fotical on the 22nd, she said her hands were trembling with anticipation and a whirlwind of emotions while waiting for Fotical. When ACCT Philly staff brought Fotical in, Koziak said, 'I couldn't hear anyone's voice anymore. My vision narrowed, and it was as if the world, everything, the room, everything around me had vanished. The spotlight was on Fotical, and there was no one around.'

ACCT Philly staff had warned that Fortical might take some time to recognize Koziak and his companions, so Koziak approached Fortical cautiously. When he held out his hand, Fortical sniffed it and, as if to say, 'Let's go!', pulled Koziak and his companions towards the door.

Fortical, who was taken to Koziak's home, was apparently unwell and sleepy on the first day, but has already returned to 'his usual self' and seems very happy. Koziak said, 'He's acting just like a puppy,' and 'He's wagging his tail and wants to go for a walk.'

Koziak said he was very happy to be reunited with Fotical, but also regretted that so many years had passed since they last spent together.

Koziak says that it still pains him to think about the time they couldn't spend together, but when he wakes up in the morning and sees Fotical there, his anxiety disappears. Koziak said, 'It's just the best,' and 'Every day feels like Christmas morning.'

Apparently, the animal's microchip uses RFID technology with a frequency of 125kHz, and some people wear it on their watch to open building doors or use elevators without having to take out their keys. Since this RFID is completely passive, some have suggested that when Koziak said he 'kept updating the microchip,' he meant he 'kept updating Fortical's ID in the pet identification database.'