In the stride to enhance pet safety, the Sevier County Sheriff's Office has equipped all its Animal Control Deputies with microchip readers. The latest tech addition means lost furry family members sporting a microchip have a better shot at being reunited with their owners. In a recent announcement on their Facebook page, the Sheriff's Office urged pet owners to microchip their pets, underscoring this as the best chance for recovery should they ever escape their homes.
In a collaborative effort, Sheriff Michael R. Hodges, Jr., and the Sevier Animal Care Center have set out to organize a Microchip Day event. Slated for Saturday, August 2nd, this event seeks to not only promote but also actively provide microchipping services. For a fee of $20.00, residents can come to get their dogs and cats chipped from 9:00 am until noon at the Sevier County Sheriff’s office located at 106 W. Bruce Street. Notably, the office notes that the service is strictly available to Sevier County residents only. There's a cap on how many pets can be microchipped on the spot, with the first hundred dogs present to receive the service on-site, and the subsequent hundred being issued vouchers for a later date.
The move comes off as an accessible measure to assist in the prevention of lost pets and the heartache that often accompanies such incidents. The Sevier County Sheriff's Office communication highlighted the tangible benefits of microchipping, indicating that "This gives them the best chance of being found and returned home safely if they ever get out." Both the law enforcement and animal welfare communities have, historically, advocated for microchipping as a key component in responsible pet ownership.
Queries concerning the upcoming Microchip Day are to be directed to the Sevier County Animal Control or the Sevier Animal Care Center, with contact information readily available on the distributed flyer.
