LOUISVILLE, Ky. — Jeffersontown officials are hopeful a new pet screening program will help reconnect owners to their lost pets and reduce the number of animals entering the Louisville Metro Animal Services' (LMAS) shelter.
"I'm going to equip several of our city department personnel with these microchip readers so they can return any lost pet to their owner," Mayor Carol Pike said on Monday.
One of the local businesses who received a chip scanner was Wigglewow. Jeffersontown Chief of Police Rick Sanders also received training on how to use the microchip scanner.
If residents find lost pets, they are advised to go to either location to check if that animal has a microchip.
According to those involved, this new program will help with the number of animals that have been sent to LMAS, which has been dealing with overcrowding in its shelter for months.
"We put out a code red status when our shelter is getting over capacity and for the last, almost three years now, our shelter has been over capacity," LMAS spokesperson Stephanie Jackson said. "Having more businesses and departments in the community with microchip scanners will definitely lighten the load of us having animals in the building as far as right here in our intake lobby because these people can reunite pets quicker with their families."
Pike also gave a warning about the upcoming Fourth of July holiday and firework displays throughout the city.
"Please people, don't take your dogs to any holiday festivities," she urged. "They are scared to death and would rather be at home where they are comfortable."
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