The value of microchips
The devastation of Hurricane Katrina did not bring many good things to animals. Many animals lost their lives, were separated from their original owners and ended up in shelters all over the country.
Many shelters and rescue groups began to microchip every animal which came in their door after this disaster so animals could be identified easier if another catastrophe were to strike again.
Microchips also allow people to track an animal and in many cases, the animal can then be returned to a proper owner. On the other hand, people who own animals with chips, cannot deny the animal belongs to them and in cases of neglect or abuse, this can prove invaluable to law enforcement.
When a person dumps an animal to fend for themselves, animal control officers can then contact the owner and press charges. This is, of course, if the animal has survived when they are finally found.
I wonder why people think they can lie to shelters and animal control officers and think they can get away with it? Microchip information can be updated in minutes on a computer. Do people really think when an animal is returned to a shelter this information is not checked?
I know of several instances at the HSSC when we have received phone calls from other states, where our dogs have ended up and the shelters will call us to see if we want them returned. This also happens within the state between shelters and animal control agencies.
It is another valuable tool we can use to make sure our animals are taken care of. The microchips don't lie.
Many shelters and rescue groups began to microchip every animal which came in their door after this disaster so animals could be identified easier if another catastrophe were to strike again.
Microchips also allow people to track an animal and in many cases, the animal can then be returned to a proper owner. On the other hand, people who own animals with chips, cannot deny the animal belongs to them and in cases of neglect or abuse, this can prove invaluable to law enforcement.
When a person dumps an animal to fend for themselves, animal control officers can then contact the owner and press charges. This is, of course, if the animal has survived when they are finally found.
I wonder why people think they can lie to shelters and animal control officers and think they can get away with it? Microchip information can be updated in minutes on a computer. Do people really think when an animal is returned to a shelter this information is not checked?
I know of several instances at the HSSC when we have received phone calls from other states, where our dogs have ended up and the shelters will call us to see if we want them returned. This also happens within the state between shelters and animal control agencies.
It is another valuable tool we can use to make sure our animals are taken care of. The microchips don't lie.
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