Published November, 9, 2018

By GAIL LOWE

MELROSE — As a volunteer for Missing Dogs Massachusetts (MDM), Melrose resident and animal lover Jennifer Scacca sees a lot of sadness when an owner loses a much-loved dog. But she also experiences joy when a missing dog and its owner are reunited.

Scacca recently experienced that joy when Malden resident Ming Tseng reunited with Udon, her 10-year-old male Maltese.

Udon disappeared the night of Wednesday, June 20 when Tseng let Udon, along with her shih tzu and poodle mix plus her mixed breed, outside in her fenced backyard. When she called them to come back in, Udon was nowhere to be found.

Measures were taken to reunite Udon with Tseng through social media sites and pink flyers hung on light poles to get people’s attention. She also alerted Melrose’s animal control officer, police, animal shelters and hospitals plus veterinarians about the dog’s mysterious disappearance.

A “Find Udon” Facebook page was also created, and customized “Missing Udon” flags were made that could be attached to vehicles. Volunteers followed up with any sightings or leads. In other words, everything that could be done was done.

“The biggest task of all was to never give up on the search,” said Scacca.

MELROSE RESIDENT JENNIFER SCACCA worked hand in hand with Missing Dogs Massachusetts (MDM) to reunite Malden resident Ming Tseng with her lost dog “Udon.”

Never giving up paid off when, on Sunday, Oct. 14, Udon was found in Weymouth. The man who had custody of Udon contacted Tseng via text message with a photograph of the dog.

“Could this be Udon?” he asked.

Tseng met with the finder later in the day and confirmed that the dog was hers.

Udon had lost weight, and his nails were long; otherwise, he was in good condition.

The finder told Tseng that Udon had wandered in his direction while in Boston. When he saw an online posting of the missing dog, he thought the dog in his custody might be Udon. He was right.

“We’re all so thankful that Udon is back home and that his finder came forward,” said Scacca. Tseng, naturally, is also grateful.

“I thought, ‘Finally, you’re home,’” Tseng. “I’m lucky to have him back.”

Scacca, owner of two chihuahuas and a Basenji, said that it is important to report a lost or found dog. Tseng added that it’s crucial that dogs be kept in a secure environment.

“If you happen to find a dog, state law requires that you report it to police and the animal control officer in your city or town,” said Scacca. “MDM is also a great additional resource to reach out to.”

Scacca’s absolute love for dogs extends to cats and, in fact, it was an experience with a cat stuck in a tree that led her to volunteer with MDM.

In February 2018, Scacca spotted a cat stuck in a tree during a snowstorm. Fortunately, through the help of the Melrose community page on Facebook, she got in touch with a tree removal company and “Miss Triss” was rescued and taken to Northeast Animal Shelter. She was later adopted.

“The experience changed my life,” she said. “I found myself consumed with lost and found pet pages, and soon enough I stumbled upon MDM.”

The organization is all-volunteer and non-profit and works to reunite missing and found dogs with their families.

“I have learned so much from MDM in the short months I’ve been volunteering with them, especially from Director and soon-to-be president Kristin Ericson,” said Scacca. “She is an incredible woman who guided and encouraged me throughout my first case: Reuniting Ming Tseng with Udon.”

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More about MDM: The organization works cooperatively with animal control officers, rescues, shelters, law enforcement and the media. When a canine family member goes missing, panic often sets in. Without direction, a search can seem overwhelming. MDM can provide an owner with no-cost methods to share their dog’s image and information, proven steps to follow, and when necessary and possible, the means and equipment (humane traps and motion-activated cameras) to help bring the lost dog home. MDM works through social media (Facebook and Twitter) to raise awareness of currently missing dogs and dogs that have been found and are in search of their family. Be sure to like MDM on Facebook and take a direct role in sharing information and raising awareness about lost and found dogs.