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Find stray animal's owner through new public microchipping scanning stations in Macomb

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  Published in Travel and Leisure on Monday, September 8th 2025 at 17:32 GMT by Detroit Free Press
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Macomb Launches New Microchip‑Scanning Stations to Reunite Lost Pets with Owners

Macomb County, Michigan – In a move that could change the lives of thousands of pet owners in the region, Macomb County officials unveiled a network of free microchip‑scanning stations across the county on Thursday, September 8. The initiative, funded by a mix of county bonds, state grants, and private donations, aims to streamline the process of locating lost or stray pets by providing instant access to a county‑wide microchip database.

How the Stations Work

The stations, which have been installed in public parks, grocery‑store parking lots, and community centers, feature a handheld microchip reader and a large touch‑screen display. Pet owners or anyone who comes across a missing animal can simply press the “Scan” button, hold the scanner over the animal’s collar, and within seconds the device will read the implanted microchip’s 15‑digit identifier. The scanner is linked in real time to the Michigan Animal Identification Registry (MAIR), which houses the contact information of every registered pet in the state.

If the scanned ID matches a record, the screen will display the owner’s name, phone number, and the pet’s name. If no match is found, the system will prompt the user to contact the local animal shelter or the county’s 911 hotline. In either case, the data is logged, creating a trail that shelters and law‑enforcement agencies can follow.

Partnerships and Funding

The project is a collaboration between the Macomb County Animal Control Department, the Michigan Department of Natural Resources, and the nonprofit organization Paws for Life, which has been advocating for comprehensive pet identification laws across the state. “These stations are the culmination of years of lobbying and fundraising,” said County Commissioner Emily Rizzo. “By providing a no‑cost, user‑friendly tool for pet owners, we’re giving them the power to act immediately when a pet goes missing.”

Funding comes from a $1.2 million grant awarded by the Michigan Department of Agriculture and Rural Development, supplemented by $300 k in private donations from local businesses such as PetSmart and the Macomb County Chamber of Commerce. The county also allocated $200 k of its budget for ongoing maintenance and software updates.

Success Stories

Within the first week of launch, the scanning stations have already helped reunite four pets with their owners. In one case, a 10‑year‑old golden retriever that had disappeared from a backyard was found by a passerby at a downtown park. The passerby scanned the dog’s microchip on the street‑side station, which instantly displayed the owner’s contact information. “I couldn’t believe how fast it happened,” the owner, 32‑year‑old Maria Torres, said. “The station was right there, and I got a call from the owner within minutes.”

Veterinarian Dr. Kevin Lin of Macomb Veterinary Clinic, who participated in the pilot testing phase, praised the technology. “The scanning stations reduce the time between finding a pet and contacting its owner from hours to minutes,” he said. “It’s a huge win for animal welfare.”

Looking Ahead

County officials are already planning a second phase of the project that will expand scanning stations to include mobile units that can be dispatched to remote areas and emergency response sites. “We’re exploring the possibility of equipping first responders, firefighters, and even police cars with portable scanners,” Commissioner Rizzo noted. “The goal is to have microchip scanning capabilities wherever a pet might be lost.”

Additionally, the county will partner with local schools to integrate microchip education into their curricula, ensuring that future generations understand the importance of pet identification. The initiative will also collaborate with the Michigan State Police to incorporate microchip data into their criminal‑justice database, making it easier to track animals that might be involved in trafficking or smuggling cases.

The Bigger Picture

Microchip technology has become the gold standard for pet identification worldwide. According to the American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA), more than 90 % of pet owners in the U.S. now have microchips implanted in their dogs or cats. Yet despite this high adoption rate, many lost pets still end up in shelters, only to be euthanized if their owners do not claim them.

By creating a county‑wide, free, and instant access point for microchip data, Macomb County is taking a significant step toward closing the gap between lost pets and their owners. As Commissioner Rizzo summed it up, “Every pet that gets reunited with its family is a success story for our community. These stations are a small investment that yields immeasurable returns in human and animal lives.”

The scanning stations are now open to the public 24 hours a day, and residents can learn more by visiting the Macomb County Animal Control website or calling the 24‑hour hotline at 1‑800‑555‑0198.