ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. (KRQE) – One swipe with a microchip scanner can potentially reunite a lost animal with its owner. The technology isn’t just being used at the Eastside Animal Shelter in Albuquerque, it’s happening throughout the city.
Albuquerque Animal Welfare put microchip scanners in all Albuquerque Fire Rescue and Albuquerque Police substations six months ago to help animals get back home. “We were able to get microchip scanners in all of their locations, we did a big training and we have really seen a huge success in keeping pets out of the shelter because of that,” Animal Welfare Director Carolyn Ortega said.
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After a spike in stray animals last year and metro shelters at capacity, the city started a pilot program as a way to be proactive. Within a few months, staff says it’s working. “We started tracking in August, so in just six months, 166 people have utilized this system, and about 17% of those have been reunited with their pet owners,” Ortega said.