LEE COUNTY, Ga. (WALB) - A dog that went missing in Atlanta nearly a year ago has been reunited with its owner in South Georgia after a microchip helped the Lee County Animal Shelter track down the family.

Nikki Porcher adopted Toussaint, a French bulldog, from a Fulton County animal shelter in 2025. Porcher said the dog was severely malnourished, and she wanted to give him a better life.

But just three months later, Porcher said Toussaint was stolen from her front porch in April 2025.

“I was really banking on the fact that whoever found him might take him to a vet or to a shelter. And then they would run his chip and then I would find him easily,” she explained.

Nearly a year later, a Lee County resident alerted animal control after spotting a dog roaming the streets of Southwest Georgia in February 2026.

The Lee County Animal Shelter scanned the dog and discovered he had a microchip. Staff contacted HomeAgain, a lost pet recovery service, and learned Toussaint’s owner lived hours away.

Animal control officer, Sarah McMullen, said Toussaint traveled around multiple families, and was purchased through breeders, before finding his way in Leesburg.

“I found six different hands that I could track that this dog had gone through,” Officer McMullen said. “And every set of hands had a different name for him.”

Porcher said she was shocked to learn the dog she had posted missing flyers for was still alive.

“I got an alert on my phone saying that ‘Your dog has been located,’” she said. “‘Please call this number.’ And the area code was a 229 number. So I was like, ‘Well, that’s interesting.’”

Toussaint stayed in Lee County Animal Shelter’s care before McMullen coordinated the reunion with Porcher, who drove three and a half hours to retrieve him, Feb. 23.

Porcher said if it were not for the microchip, she might never have seen her dog again.

“The Toussaint that I picked up from that shelter was very rambunctious. He was huge. He had been eating really good. And it just seemed like he’d never met a stranger.”

McMullen said she’s appreciative her role with animal control includes positive stories like Porcher and Toussaint’s.

“As soon as I can hear the click of this microchip reader go off, it’s just instant relief. Thank goodness, I can get this dog back,” she said.

Lee County Animal Shelter staff said they encourage pet owners to microchip their animals. They say it’s low-cost and available at most vet clinic and shelters

The animal shelter staff also introduced Layla, who was featured in WALB News 10’s Moriah Norman’s TV story. They said she and many other dogs are available for adoption. Those interested in Layla can get more information here.

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