Local animal welfare organizations collaborate to expand community pet reunification
Ahead of the summer season, ASPCA Spay/Neuter Alliance, Brother Wolf Animal Rescue, and Asheville Humane Society are working together to both provide free microchips and expand access to scanning locations to streamline reunification of found pets and keep family pets out of the shelter.
The Fourth of July can be a stressful time for household pets. The flashes and noise from fireworks can trigger your pet’s fight-or-flight instincts, and picnics, debris, and trash can create harmful obstacles.
More household pets go missing in the days surrounding July 4 than any other time period in the year, so it is important that you prepare to keep your pet safe during the summer season.
The American Kennel Association reports that over half of dogs react fearfully to fireworks. Fearful reactions often look like running away.
The first step is making sure that your surroundings are prepared. Start by creating a safe space for your pet where they can feel secure and protected. This might also look like noise distractions like music or the TV. Stay home with your pet. Normal behavior and activity will reassure your pet that everything is fine and that they don’t have to worry.
However, should your animal get out and run away, a microchip is one of the most effective ways to increase the likelihood that your pet will be returned to you. For this reason, in collaboration with the ASPCA Spay/Neuter Alliance (ASNA) and Brother Wolf Rescue (BWR), Asheville Humane Society has worked to expand microchip scanning locations across Asheville and supply microchips at a one-day free microchip event, allowing for streamlined pet reunification without your pet ever having to step foot in the shelter.
Microchips are universally recognized in animal welfare spaces and readily provide contact information. Should someone find your pet wearing an “I’m Microchipped” tag, they will be able to take your animal to a scanning location, access your contact information, and return the pet to your loving family.
To ensure that this reunification process is possible, it is vitally important that your contact information remains up to date on your pet’s microchip profile. To learn how to update your contact information, visit: https://www.24petwatch.com/.
For more information on instructions when you’ve found a pet, scanning locations, and reporting a lost pet, visit lostpetavl.org.
