ROGERS, Ark. — All Dogs Clinic in Rogers opened up the second microchip check station in the country, which allows people to check the microchips in a lost pet to help get them home.
Since the clinic started using the device on May 10, it has helped three stray dogs find their homes. Practice manager Megan Blackburn says she feels like this is the perfect way to serve the community.
"It's just a resource that I thought would really be able to help the community to be able to check it themselves and learn a little bit more about microchips and how they work," Blackburn said.
Blackburn got the idea after seeing the first center in Michigan. After talking with co-workers about implementing the idea, she decided to go through with it.
With the help of her canine friend Kate, she walked us through how it works.
"You'll push the red button — that brings it on — and it'll say 'reading.' And then you're just gonna want to wave it over the dog," Blackburn said. "It pulls up her microchip number."
Through a Microchip Registry Lookup online, you will type in the animal's microchip number provided by the check station. Blackburn said the registry shows you the name of the animal's microchip company and the owner's phone number.
You will then be required to share with the system what the animal looks like. After they confirm who the animal is, they'll give you the dog's name.
"They'll reach out to the owners if they have a privacy hold and give them your information. If they don't have a privacy hold, they'll give you the owner's information and where to return the dog home," she explained.
With this device being open 24/7, it allows people to get a pet checked when all other dog clinics are closed.
"There's not really after hours any place for anybody to be able to check their pet rather than driving to one of the emergency clinics," she said. "So hopefully this will kind of take the load off of them of people calling that just want to get a microchip check or something like that, so that they can come and do it themselves."
Blackburn says this device makes it even more important to your pet microchipped
"Should your dog get out you know, you'd be able to use the scanner," she said. "They'd be able to identify who your dog is a lot quicker than just sharing a picture on Facebook. It's got a microchip that's going to be attached to your information that hopefully gets your dog back to you a lot quicker."
The scanner is located at 220 S Dixieland Rd. in Rogers near the Rogers Public Library.
Blackburn said she keeps the lights on for you to use anytime you need.
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