GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. (WOOD) — Police departments across Kent County are implementing pet microchip scanners to help officers reunite lost pets with their owners.
The Kent County Animal Shelter is using part of a $4,700 grant from a local nonprofit to provide scanners to local police departments.
Angela Hollinshead, director of the shelter, said the idea came about last year when a law enforcement agency picked up a stray dog and brought it to the animal shelter. Staff at the shelter scanned the animal, learned it had a microchip, and contacted the owner.
“We said, 'Hey, we have your dog at the shelter and we'd love for you to come pick it up,'” Hollinshead recalled. “The gentleman replied, “I'm not in a position to do that, I have transportation problems.''
Hollinshead said the man lived on the outskirts of the county. Staff later learned that his pet was recovered just two doors down from his home, but was taken all the way to an animal shelter in Grand Rapids.
“That got us thinking, 'Is there a way to prevent something like this from happening?'” she said. “Are there tools we can put into the hands of local law enforcement on the scene before they are transferred to the Grand Rapids shelter?”
The shelter ultimately decided to purchase 20 microchip scanners for police departments in the county. While some large police departments have multiple scanners, the Grand Rapids Police Department has six, Hollinshead said, but every department has at least one. It is said that there is
Kent County police can now use the tool to rehome stray animals if they find them, but only if they have a microchip. Once the officer receives the device and scans your pet's microchip, they will receive the chip's identification number. This number allows police to contact the manufacturer, who in turn contacts the owner.
“Law enforcement often encounters injured animals during off-hours,” Hollinshead added. “They get hit by cars, they get into fights with other animals, so time is of the essence to get these animals help and care. If we can get them back to their families before they die, that really is the best solution for the pet.”
Typically, police take lost dogs to a shelter in Grand Rapids. But with scanners, police can find owners much faster, allowing them to pick up pets nearby rather than at a shelter.
“It's a win for animal shelters because it's one less animal they have to take care of,” Hollinshead said. “It's a win-win for law enforcement because it allows them to do a great community service to the public, and it's also a win-win for owners because they don't have to take the risk of not being able to see their pet or being reunited with their pet.” Because there will be no more.”
According to the American Veterinary Medical Association, 10 million dogs and cats are lost or stolen in the United States each year. The study found that only 22% of lost dogs in shelters were reunited with their families, but that rate jumped to 52% if the dogs were microchipped.
“The more microchipped pets we have in our community, the sooner we can rehome pets before law enforcement has to intervene or animal control takes them to a shelter.” There’s more opportunity to bring it back,” Hollinshead said.
She added that local veterinarians can implant microchips.If you are interested, please also take a look here Shelter website You can learn about microchip options at events such as those hosted by local nonprofit organizations.
