Manager of the shelter Lisa Butler said there are many dogs and cats who end up in the shelter because they have run away or strayed from home. “We post their pictures and ask owners to contact us if they recognize their dog or cat so we can return their pet to them. Unfortunately, it’s rare that the owner sees their picture or that we can find the owner. If the pet was microchipped and registered, the chances of that pet getting back home again are almost 100%,” Butler explained.

In many cases, microchipping and registering a dog or cat can save its life. Euthanasia may occur if the shelter is overcrowded and lacks space for all the animals, and the owner can not be found.

Once the dog or cat has been microchipped, its name, description, and the name, address, e-mail, phone number of the owner are all entered in a registry. If that animal ends up at a shelter or veterinarian, it is scanned for a microchip and the owner’s name and contact information are immediately available.

One strong believer of microchipping is Mary Brocato, a member of the Sabine Humane Society. She adopted a 14-yer-old poodle from Shreveport. The first day she let “Possum” out into the yard, the little dog ran away trying to get back to Shreveport, apparently. Some kind folks picked Possum up on Highway 171, took her to the vet who scanned her microchip and promptly called Ms. Brocato. By evening, Possum was back in her new home.

Ms. Brocato was also identified through a microchip when Daisy May, an English Bulldog that had belonged to her son, was discovered lying on a street in Baytown Texas. The woman who found her drove the dog to the vet who scanned her for a phone number and called Ms. Brocato. Daisy May returned home because she was microchipped.

“Microchipping definitely saves lives and that’s why the Sabine Animal Shelter will microchip your dog or cat for free,” Jackie Conyer, president of the Sabine Humane Society, stated.

The Sabine Animal Shelter is located at 520 McDonald Drive in Many. It is open Monday through Friday from 7 a.m. until 3 p.m. Everyone who loves their pets is encouraged to call the Shelter at 318-256-2275 and make an appointment to get their pet microchipped and registered for free.