Picayune Police offer after-hours microchip scanning at station
People who find pets can have them scanned for microchips at the animal shelter or at any veterinary office free during normal business hours, the Picayune Police Department said in a Facebook post. For convenience and after-hours situations, the department now offers scanning at the police station at 5000 Wildwood Drive.
The scanner and instructional sign sit on the west side of the building near the safe-exchange spots, the department said. When a microchipped animal is scanned, the device displays a number. A QR code on the sign links to a website where that number can be entered to identify the microchip company and obtain a contact phone number.
A second QR code links to the shelter’s website, where finders can submit a found-animal request and view lost-animal reports to check whether someone has reported the pet missing. The department said it placed the scanner at the station because of 24-hour surveillance to help deter people from abandoning found animals.
If the owner cannot be reached, the finder is responsible for the animal until they can make arrangements with the SPCA the following business day. The department thanked PRCSPCA volunteer Donna Lowe for funding and installing the project. We will provide more information as it becomes available.
