An update from Steve Kozachik, PACC Director
Vol. 1, No. 26 - June 16, 2025
Microchips save lives
If you owned either of these two little guys, I’m certain you wouldn’t want them wandering around loose with no way for anyone to find the owner. Sadly we see that all the time – but there’s an easy solution.
Between 50% and 60% of the dogs we receive at PACC are strays. When that happens, we have very limited ability to locate an owner – unless the owner had thought to microchip the pet. Microchipping is a simple process that takes just a few minutes, and through July 3rd, we are offering it for free at PACC.
This is how the chip is administered:
|
 One of our animal care techs will simply inject the chip, you register it, and you can rest assured that if your fluffy gets out and is found as a stray, your information can be found by simply scanning the animal for a chip.
Scanning for a microchip is also a simple process. It takes just a few seconds, but you need a scanner. They’re sold online, we do the scanning here at PACC, and veterinary offices can also scan for microchips. But how much easier would it be if there were locations right in your neighborhood where, if you find a stray, you can just pop over and get the scan, contact the owner, and back home the pet goes?
Recently I connected with the City of Tucson Parks director about placing chip scanners at some convenient locations. Director Hamwey was fully supportive of the idea and in fact told me the Parks department has so far this year found and returned 17 dogs to their owners. The challenge was taking the time to run to a vet, get the animal scanned, and then contacting the owner. Now there will be a chip scanner located at both the Tucson Parks Administrative Office right in the heart of Reid Park (900 S. Randolph Way) and another located at the Quincie Douglas Center (1575 E. 36th St). Both of those locations are well-situated in areas where we have experienced a high number of stray intakes.
Here’s a quote from Director Hamwey about this partnership:
“Tucson Parks and Recreation is happy to partner with PACC on being a location to microchip check a found dog. We want every dog and cat to get safely home and hope it can help us also educate on the importance of leash laws so we can avoid having to check for a chip.”
For right now, the access is Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. They’re working out the details on how to expand access through parks staff after hours and on weekends.
PLEASE SPREAD THE WORD: If you find a stray dog in midtown or on the southwest side, you can take it to one of those two locations, scan for the chip, and return the animal home without it ever having to set paw in a shelter.
We at PACC are grateful to Lara Hamwey and her Parks & Rec team for caring enough about the animals they’ve found to go the extra mile in getting them back home. Now that they’re outfitted with scanners, that process will be even easier. We don’t want the dogs and cats in the shelter – they belong at home. Now it’s even easier for you to be a part of achieving that goal.
With thanks,
Steve Kozachik, PACC Director
Want to help? Here's how:
|
