New Pet Microchip Scanners At Every Anne Arundel Fire Station Already Helping Lost Pets

An Anne Arundel County firefighter holds a dog as a universal microchip scanner displays the pet’s identification number during the department’s new scanning program. (Photo courtesy of Anne Arundel County Fire Department.)

EDGEWATER, Md. — A new countywide program placing universal pet microchip scanners in every Anne Arundel County fire station is already being put to use, with firefighters scanning two pets within days of the initiative getting underway.

The Anne Arundel County Fire Department announced Aug. 17 that the first pet was scanned at Woodland Beach Volunteer Fire Company, Station 2, followed by a second pet at South Glen Burnie Fire Station, Station 26.

The early uses came less than two weeks after county officials announced the “Paws-itively Identify” Pet Microchip Scanner Initiative, a partnership between the Anne Arundel County Fire Department and Anne Arundel County Animal Services.

The initiative equips all 31 Anne Arundel County fire stations with universal microchip scanners, creating a network of locations across the county where a lost or found pet can potentially be identified.

Friends of Anne Arundel County Animals donated the scanners.

The program was officially rolled out earlier this month at Marley Fire Station 18 in Glen Burnie. Fire Chief Trisha Wolford recognized Friends of Anne Arundel County Animals for the donation, while Animal Services representatives demonstrated how the scanners can be used on microchipped pets.

Fire officials said the goal is to give firefighters and community members another tool to quickly identify lost animals and help get them back to their families.

An Anne Arundel County firefighter demonstrates the use of a universal pet microchip scanner on a dog as part of the county’s new “Paws-itively Identify” initiative. (Photo courtesy of Anne Arundel County Fire Department.)

How The Pet Scanners Work

A pet microchip is a small identification device implanted beneath an animal’s skin. When a compatible scanner passes over the chip, it detects a unique identification number.

That number can then be used to locate registration information associated with the microchip, which may provide the information needed to contact the pet’s owner.

The new equipment consists of universal scanners, allowing firefighters to check for commonly used pet microchips rather than relying on a scanner designed for only one type.

The scanners do not implant microchips. They are used to check animals that may already have one.

The program could be particularly useful when someone finds a loose dog or cat and is unsure where the animal belongs. Instead of identification depending solely on a collar or tag, a microchip can provide another way to determine whether the pet has a registered owner.

Fire officials said the program is already having a “paws-itive” impact.

(Photo courtesy of Anne Arundel County Fire Department.)

Where To Get A Lost Pet Scanned

All 31 Anne Arundel County fire stations are now equipped with universal pet microchip scanners.

The first two pets were scanned at Woodland Beach Volunteer Fire Company, Station 2, at 529 Londontown Road in Edgewater, and South Glen Burnie Fire Station, Station 26, at 7880 South Crain Highway in Glen Burnie.

Residents who find a lost pet can use the Anne Arundel County Fire Department’s station directory to locate the closest fire station. Because crews may be away handling emergency calls, residents may want to contact the station before arriving.

The county also offers low-cost microchip implantation through Anne Arundel County Animal Services during scheduled rabies and microchip clinics.

With scanners now available throughout the county, residents have another option for identifying lost pets and potentially getting them home faster.

And within the program’s first few days, firefighters were already putting the new equipment to work.