Microchips are the size of a large grain of rice. The chip is inserted in the scruff of dogs and cats with a very sharp instrument. It is virtually painless and most animals seldom bleed. The chip doesn’t put out any kind of signal and can’t be used to track the animal. When a microchip scanner is passed over the skin of a microchipped pet, the implanted microchip emits an RF (radio frequency) signal. The scanner reads the microchip‘s unique code and the process of finding the rightful owner begins. The microchip registry retains the information a pet owner registers and updates. The microchip seller retains the entity that purchased the chip in case the owner doesn’t registers the chip.
If your animal is lost and picked up by an Animal Control Officer in League City, the ACO scans the animal in the field, radios the shelter staff, and they contact the microchip registry. If your animal is chipped, you registered the chip in your name, kept your contact information current, the ACO may be able bring your pet to your home rather than impound it at the shelter. This is awesome customer service to our League City residents. There are several sites that store records of all chips. It is best to register the chip through the manufacturer’s site since that’s the first place a person will look for your information. They might also check the sites that store all brands of chips. Again this only works if you register the chip in your name and keep your contact information current.
Annually 6.5 million companion animals enter US animal shelters nationwide. About 710,000 animals who enter shelters as strays are returned to their owners. Of those 620,000 are dogs and only 90,000 are cats. Microchips enable animal control agencies to get the animals’ home to their owners at an increased rate making pet and owner happy. Animal Shelters spend big dollars in housing, sterilizing and medical care of these stray animals. A fraction of the cost is recovered in the adoption fee. Microchipping is a good fiscal decision that save taxpayers money and get pets home. League City charges residents $5 and nonresidents $10.
Shelters are becoming more of a community gathering place
In the past animal shelters were typically build next to the sewage treatment plant or in the public works yards. New Animal Shelters are being built in socially important areas to encourage the community’s participation and for the welfare and enrichment of the animals and the community. Shelters today are a place of learning with many offering varied services and opportunities.
Humane education programs to teach kids how to respect animals and have compassion for all life. Responsible pet ownership is the focus in each program including responsible stewardship for all animals.
Education on Animal Behavior to prevent pets from being abandoned because their owner doesn’t know how to correct a behavior problem.