Hall County Animal Services has installed public microchip scanning stations at the Hall County Animal Shelter and the Laurel Park Dog Park to help reunite pets with their owners more quickly.
“We’re launching this initiative with two scanning stations, but our goal is to expand the program throughout Hall County so more lost pets can be returned home to their families sooner,” Hall County Animal Shelter Manager Stephanie Maloch said.
Each microchip scanning station is equipped with a universal microchip scanner that checks all major microchip brands and databases. All microchips contain a unique identification number linked to the animal’s owner, including the owner’s contact information.
“We frequently find lost animals that already have microchips. Some animals are Hall County residents, while others have crossed state lines,” Maloch said. “These stations will provide a direct way for people who find a lost pet to identify its owner and help get the animal home, which is also why it’s so important to ensure the contact information linked to your pet’s microchip is up to date, and that the chip is still active and working.”
In addition to helping reunite lost pets, microchip scanning stations may also be used to check that an animal’s microchip is still functioning properly. If the presence of a microchip is known but the microchip is not working, appointments may be made at the Hall County Animal Shelter to insert a new, working chip for $20.
“The primary purpose of these stations is to reunite lost pets with their families, but they also provide peace of mind by allowing owners to confirm that their pet’s microchip is actually working,” Maloch said. “Microchips are designed to last the entire lifespan of your dog or cat’s life, but like any technology, it’s not perfect, and we have come across cases where a chip is no longer functioning.”
The microchip scanning stations are available 24 hours a day, seven days a week, and will receive routine maintenance to ensure they remain operational, charged and ready for use.
“We encourage all pet owners to have their animals microchipped, and yes, you can microchip just about any animal,” Maloch said. “It is one of the most effective tools for reuniting lost pets with their families. Without one, it can be extremely difficult to identify an animal’s owner and increases the likelihood that the pet will enter the shelter system.
“If there is one thing we hope people take away from this initiative, it is to please microchip your animals. We’ve reunited microchipped animals whose families were all the way in Iowa and Florida,” Maloch said. “While these stories are rare, they do happen, and $20 is a very low cost to ensure the safe return of your furry family member.”