Baton Rouge, Louisiana - Champ the dog was placed with a family 10 years ago by the Companion Animal Alliance in Baton Rouge. Three happy years were granted to the human and animal alike, but all of a sudden, the pup vanished. For seven years, no one knew what had happened or where Champ could be – until last month!

The dog was in a sorry state when he was picked up off the street near his old shelter. Champ's fur was all matted, and he was soon taken straight to the Companion Animal Alliance.

Of course, no one there realized who had just shown up, but Champ had a microchip that provided answers.

When his rescuers figured out what had happened, they were completely amazed.

Cats Cats go wild over something hiding under the dresser – and their owner can't believe what she finds

"When our team scanned him for a microchip, everything changed," the shelter wrote in a Facebook post.

Then, the staff called Champ's former family – and got a truly remarkable response.

"His family had been looking for him for more than seven years. The moment they got the call, they rushed to CAA," the post explained.

"There were tears, hugs, phone calls to family members, and an emotional reunion years in the making. It was a reminder that even after all this time, hope wasn't lost."

The post included two photos. In the first, Champ's owner is beaming with joy. In the second, she embraces her long‑missing furry friend.

Dogs Dog posse runs wildly in the streets – can rescuers get them to safety in time?

The CAA's conclusion after this belated happy ending is clear.

"Stories like Champ's are exactly why microchips matter," they said. "A collar can come off. A tag can get lost. But a registered microchip can help bring a beloved pet home – even years later."