Microchip Scanning of Stray Pets

If someone comes in with a pet they found to be scanned for a microchip, we need to take possession of the pet in order to scan it. 

Take the pet to the treatment area and scan for a microchip. 

Bring the scanner with you up to the front afterward, and you can show the person who found the pet whether they have a microchip. 

If the pet does not have a microchip, or the microchip is not registered, call HC Animal Control for pick up. Legally, the pet should be turned over for a stray hold for a minimum of 4 days. The person who found the pet can pick it up again from HCAC if they wish, once the stray hold is over. 

If the pet is not microchipped and has no identification, and the client who brought the pet wishes to keep the pet and pay for medical care, HCAC has told us in the past that it is okay for the new owner to take control of the pet...but they must understand if the previous owner finds the animal, they may have to give the pet up again. 

If the pet does have a microchip, thank the client for bringing the pet in to be scanned, they are free to go. 

Type in the microchip number to this website: https://www.aaha.org/your-pet/pet-microchip-lookup/microchip-search/

If it is registered, we can contact the registering microchip service to get the contact information for the owner. We can let the owner know the pet will be relinquished to HCAC and they should contact that office for pick up instructions. Call HCAC for pick up and let them know the owner will be contacting them.

If HCAC is closed, call the non-emergency police line at 770-957-9121. Explain the situation, and let them know we are a veterinary hospital and cannot keep the pet at our facility because we do not have any history, and that we need an animal control officer to be contacted to come pick up the pet. They rotate on-call and someone will be able to pick the pet up before closing.