PHILADELPHIA (KYW Newsradio) — Nearly 11 years ago, Forty the pit bull was stolen from his home in Mayfair. His owners never gave up the search for him, and just this weekend, they finally reunited.
After Forty was taken out of Jourdyn Koviak’s yard along the 3000 block of Longshore Avenue, she put up hundreds of flyers and tons of posts on social media. Posts were shared around, but no one ever reached out with any tips.
Fast forward to two months ago, Koviak called the microchip company she used to chip Forty and asked to update her information in the system. She asked if they had heard any updates about anyone finding him. They said no, but that they’d reach out if they did.
“And I knew he was older, and maybe he passed instead, or, ya know, had a family that stole him, but loved him,” Koviak said.
Then, over the weekend, she got a call after Philadelphia's Animal Care and Control officers picked up a senior stray dog in the city’s Burholme section.
ACCT Philly staffers scanned the dog for a microchip. There was one, and there was a match.
ACCT Philly said it’s unknown where Forty has been all these years, but Koviak, who now lives in Luzerne County, made the trip to Philly to pick up their once long-lost dog.
"Never give up," she said.
Koviak said Forty is going to live his best life in the time she has left with him.
“I wanted to make him comfortable. I got him an orthopedic bed because of his hips, knowing his age. I got him some treats, and I'm going to take him home to our young boys and give him the best chance that he has for the rest of the time that we have with him."
The shelter recommends that your pet be microchipped and that the contact information is up to date, which can be done for free at freepetchipregistry.com.