ROGERS, Ark. — After storms wiped out power, ended classes, and killed at least eight people in Arkansas on the night of May 26, residents are scrambling to find places to stay the night and pick up the pieces.
Considering the damage caused by the storms, Big Paws of the Ozarks, a local animal training and foster service, is reminding residents what to do if they find a lost pet that might have gotten loose during the storms.
The number one piece of advice is to check for a microchip, a task made easier after the recent installation of a self-serve microchip scanning station off of Dixieland Road in Rogers.
Meagan Blackburn, who works for All Dogs Clinic in Rogers, where the microchip station is located, says dozens of neighbors have been using the new microchip reader that was installed just a few weeks prior to the storms.
One Rogers resident said there was a constant flow of people checking lost dogs' microchips.
"We live over off Dixieland and this dog was just walking around the neighborhood kind of checking on everyone," Shelby Doak, a Rogers resident said. "We heard about the free chip service here, so we brought her up here, and thank goodness, she had a chip.”
Doak added she has heard of other animals in need of being reunited with their families, "I'm sure there's plenty more that just need to be reunited."
If for some reason the scanning station is unavailable, rescuers are asked to call their city's animal control department or a nearby shelter.
While waiting for a response, or an opportunity to find the animal's owner, it is sometimes necessary to reach out to local animal shelters to discuss the next steps if the original owner isn't found.
In Gravette, The Ruff-In, a doggie daycare, boarding, and grooming service is taking in residents' pets, if they were displaced because of tornado damage.
Chelse Caspermeyer, co-owner of the organization said her phone has been ringing non-stop with people looking for a safe place for their furry friend. At one point, Caspermeyer said they were housing 30 pets.
"It's been a lot," Caspermeyer said. "But it doesn't matter. I'll work all night if that means that we can help a dog and we can help a family."
Caspermeyer said that for the protection of all animals, she asks that the dogs be vaccinated.
With that being said, there are a few things rescuers should know about contacting local shelters:
- City shelters are generally only able to accept strays that are found within the boundaries of their municipality.
- Locally-owned and operated shelters are able to accept strays found in other places, but it's noted that these shelters are often overwhelmed and overpopulated with strays
Big Paws of the Ozarks stresses that "if you choose to take in a dog, most cities will consider that dog legally yours after three days," meaning if they are brought to a shelter after that point, it will be considered an "owner surrender."
Where do I call if I see an animal stranded in the cold?
Depending on where you are, you may want to call different organizations if you find an animal wandering around. No matter where you are though, experts recommend caution when approaching unfamiliar animals.
Bentonville:
- Bentonville Animal Services: (479 )254-2055
Rogers:
- Rogers Animal Services: (479) 621-1197
Springdale:
- Springdale Animal Services: (479) 750-8166
Fayetteville:
- Fayetteville Animal Services: (479) 444-3456 during business hours
- Fayetteville Police Department: (479) 587-3555 after business hours
Fort Smith:
- Fort Smith Animal Haven: (479) 551-2221
- Kitties and Kanines Pet Resource Center: (479) 434-4740
Van Buren:
- Van Buren Almost Home Shelter: 479) 414-3781
Alma:
- Alma Animal Clinic: (479) 430-7280
Siloam Springs:
- Siloam Springs Animal Shelter: (479) 524-6536
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