PAWS & REFLECT: Should I microchip my pet?

Published 4:30 pm Saturday, October 28, 2023

Recently, two purebred shepherds were brought to the shelter by animal control. They had been running down the highway, clearly in danger. At the shelter, we were able to scan the dogs to see if they had a microchip. Upon discovery of the chip, we contacted the microchip database company, and they were able to notify the owner that we had her dogs. Within two hours, the dogs were reunited with the owner. A happy ending indeed.

The same week, a cat was found at the Buccees carwash and brought in. The cat was obviously someone’s pet — clean, neutered and super friendly. But upon scanning, we found that he had not been chipped. Although we advertised with the cat’s picture, no one claimed him.

The shelter must hold stray animals for one week, but after that, it is the shelter’s discretion as to what to do with the animal. Luckily for this cat, a staff member adopted him immediately.

I can’t help but feel sad for the previous owner, though. Perhaps they were traveling and the cat escaped their vehicle or trailer. If the cat had been chipped, he may have been reunited with his family.

Microchipping your pet is not as scary as it sounds. The chip is the size of a grain of rice and inserted under the skin. It does not emit a frequency, cannot be used as a GPS locator and does not contain your personal info or your pet’s health information. It has an ID number that is scannable, allowing a shelter, vet or even Petco to connect with the registry. The registry then reaches out to the pet owner, so your info is not released to a stranger on the phone.

You may not think an indoor pet or pocket pooch needs to be microchipped. However, open doors or windows, traveling and especially natural disasters account for thousands of pets being displaced every year. Chipping may be the only way to recover your beloved animal.

Chipping your pet at your vet’s office can cost from $40-$125 in Limestone County, and you are responsible for registering yourself. Right now, as a commitment to the community and to help reunite lost pets, the Athens Limestone Animal Shelter is offering to chip and register your pet for just $20. This is made possible by donations from pet lovers in our county and ends Dec. 31, 2023.

To get your pet chipped, you must be a Limestone County resident and email your name and number to ALASchipmypet@gmail.com. Please allow us 2 weeks to set up an appointment. No phone calls or walk-ins accepted. For the safety of our staff, your animal must be manageable. We cannot chip feral cats or aggressive dogs. Chipping will take place at the Athens Limestone Animal Shelter at 1701 E Hwy 72, Athens.