Commentary by Debi Metcalfe, Founder of StolenHorse International

Harold and I rarely get to see the horses and the owners that we help through Stolen Horse International. It is even more rare for us to actually be on the scene when a recovery happens.

Yesterday, not only were we there when Sarah wrapped her arms around Odie's neck for the first time, but it was because of what we had with us that made it possible for her to take him home.

We didn't forget to grab our microchip scanner as we ran out the door to travel to SC to assist in Odie's recovery. We knew he had a microchip even though we did not release that info to the public.  We were able to scan the chip for law enforcement before Odie's owner was allowed on the private property. Without positive ID, this recovery may not have taken place so smoothly. He may have even been left there until propler ID could be obtained!!

It was the best 4th of July ever for Sarah, Odie, me, Harold and Stolen Horse International!

We try so hard every day to get people to join our mailing list, LIKE us on Facebook, share our NetPosse Alerts, post our flyers in communities, and then send the alerts to their friends to replicate our plan of action.

Why? Because we know that it works, especially right after a horse has been stolen like Odie. Hopefully we will do a full story later but for now we will give you a note from Sarah on Facebook followed by some of the case highlights.

This case is a representation of how our Stolen Horse International action plan works when it works perfectly. Here are some of the highlights. 

• A report was filed with Stolen Horse International for Odie: 7/3/2014 8:54 AM
• NetPosse Alerts to our mailing list, news media, special contacts, social media started shortly thereafter
• Over 59,000 reaches and over 1000 shares were generated from on post on our Stolen Horse International, Inc., aka NetPosse.com facebook page
• I received a call from Odie’s owner July 4^th saying she had a tip on his location
• All concerned parties and law enforcement went to that location
• Proof of ownership had to be provided and was done so by Odie’s microchip. Harold Metcalfe, of Stolen Horse International scanned the microchip for the officer.
• Sarah was then allowed on the property to finally put her arms around Odie.
• Odie was taken to a vet office for his injuries
• July 5, 2014, Odie is going leaving the vet office

My Microchip Soapbox

This case points out in a very visible way the importance of a microchip as a form of equine ID.

We try very hard to get people to ID their horses, especially with a microchip first with a visible ID later. Some people may think it is because we sell them as a fundraiser on NetPosse.com but that is not true. We sell them as a fundraiser because:

1. We know they can work in helping you recover your horse. We have such low prices on them so everyone can afford to microchip their own horse and if needed, recover them with the help of the microchip. That “secret” microchip that I refer to as your VIN number for your horse, is part of why Odie is back in Sarah’s arms today!
2. You never know when something is going to happen where you will need to postively ID your horse. It could be theft, disaster related, runaway or a civil situation. It is better to be prepared and nothing ever happen than to not be prepared when it does.
3. Even a nonprofit has to pay our bills.  When you purchase your microchip from us instead of a for profit company, you are helping us survive, something very hard for small nonprofits to do these days. 
4. It helps us continue to help victims like Odie and Sarah.

We would like to thank everyone who posted a flyer and shared the alert with friends both on and off the internet. We can’t bring them home without you!!!!

A complete story will come later.

Debi Metcalfe,
Website: www.netposse.com
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/StolenHorseInternationalNetPosse