AVID Offers Help for North Carolina Shelters

Microchip scanners offered to 17 counties and cities.

AVID Offers Help for North Carolina Shelters

By Michele King, Best Friends Network

At least 17 county and city funded animal shelters in North Carolina have been without a working scanner to check for microchips in lost pets. Some have no scanner at all, and others have very old machines which do not work properly.

AVID Identification Systems, Inc. is offering scanners at no charge to many shelters. A Shelter Agreement Form must be signed, with a commitment to correctly scan all animals upon admission to the shelters, and before euthanasia or adoption.

This technology can help reunite more pets with their families, as well as helping reduce the high numbers of needless deaths. Over 250,000 pets are euthanized in North Carolina shelters yearly.

Microchips are sold at most veterinarians’ offices, and having the chip gives pet owners a sense of security. Still, many may not be aware that their local shelters have not had access to scanners in the event that their pet becomes lost. That can soon change for much of North Carolina.

Founded in 1985 by a veterinarian, AVID is one of the largest suppliers of pet microchips in the world. Avid was the first company to develop the microchip system for pets, and has been awarded 37 patents to date for their work in Radio Frequency Identification Technology.

Recovery centers in America receive approximately 1400 calls per day for lost pets wearing the identification chips. The system is proven, safe and effective in saving lives.

Dan Knox, a veterinarian with AVID, says, “We like to call it a free phone call home for pets that you love and want back!” Knox notes that registration data should be kept current when families move; the technology is worthless without registration.

“Shelters really want to get pets back to the family. This is a proven way that works,” Knox says. “Collars and tags are great, but they can come off. A disaster for a pet is any way that a pet gets separated from a caregiver.”

Returning pets to their families can save significant tax dollars for a community, saving the expense of housing, feeding, and euthanasia. Knox says, “It’s a win-win deal for everyone.”

What You Can Do

Microchips make great Christmas gifts for your pets! Contact your local veterinarian to purchase a chip for your best friend.

Check with your local shelter to be sure there is access to a working scanner, so that lost pets have the best chance of being reunited with their families.