August 11, 2009

Beginning at the end of August 2009, Catawba County Animal Services will use microchip technology in hopes of bringing more of these terrifying incidents to a happy ending. Every dog and cat adopted from the Animal Shelter will go to a new home with a tiny implanted microchip that could help bring the animal home very quickly if they are ever lost.

“When we get calls or visits from people searching for a lost pet, some of these folks are extremely upset,” said Jay Blatche, Catawba County Animal Services Manager. “A lot of pet owners consider a dog or cat to be a member of the family. Most owners of a lost pet are very concerned. Some are panicked and hoping we’ve either picked up their pet or can help find the lost animal. We’re very pleased that we will soon be working with the micro chip technology. Our program will be designed to quickly get pets back to their homes and families.”

Catawba County Animal Services will use “universal chips” purchased with funds included in the County’s current budget. A universal chip can be read by scanners in the United States or in other countries. Blatche said they expect to place microchips in about 50 animals per month at the start of the program.

“Once we begin the program, we will implant a computer chip that’s about the size of a grain of rice between the shoulder blades of all dogs and cats adopted from the shelter,” Blatche said. “Each chip carries a number specific to that animal and sends data to a scanner Animal Control staff holds against the animal at the site of the implant. Once our animal control officers know the number, they can look into our database and find a description of the animal and the owner’s name, address and telephone number.”

All animals that come into the shelter are already automatically scanned for a microchip, and Animal Control Officers have scanners in their vehicles to scan animals recovered while they are in the field.

The first time a micro chipped animal is picked up by Animal Control, it will be returned to its owner immediately and without fees. If the same animal is picked up a second time, it will be taken to the Catawba County Animal Shelter and the pet owner will be able to reclaim the pet for a $50 fee, to help defray the overall cost of shelter operations and the micro chipping program. Using microchips will save time and fuel for animal control officers, since the owner of a lost animal can be identified quickly and the pet may even be returned while the officer is in the same area.

If the micro chipping program begins successfully, Catawba County Animal Services hopes to eventually offer micro chipping to the public during regular rabies vaccine clinics.

For more information on the upcoming micro chipping program at the Catawba County Animal Shelter, you may call the Shelter at 828-464-7686