Oxford Stories: Humane Society Says Microchips Help Return Lost Pets To Owners

Technology plays an important role in everything today – even the local animal shelter.

When a lost dog or cat is brought to the Humane Society, they immediately scan the animal for a microchip. If the animal has one, there’s a better chance they’ll be returned to their owner.
The shelter also uses social media to inform the public the animal is at the shelter with hopes of reaching the owner. The owner has five days to claim the animal. After that, animals become available for adoption.
Alyce Hale is part of the Humane Society’s pet control team. “Last Friday, we had 36 dogs come in,” she said. “We never know. One day, it can be 10, 30, 40, and another day, it could only be five dogs. We are about to start the puppy season, but it seems like we already have, because we have gotten so many new puppies in.”
The Oxford-Lafayette Humane Society is an animal shelter that partners with other organizations who raise money for the facility holding events and fundraisers throughout the year. The money helps house, feed and take care of the health needs of the shelter animals.
Hale said a fraternity on campus holds an annual event raising money for the shelter. “It’s fantastic,” she said, “and we take the animals over there during the event as well.
“We also just had our Paws for Art fundraiser,” she said. “Hollywood Feed, PetSmart and Adoption Days hold fundraisers for us throughout the year as well. We also host birthday parties for little kids who want a dog or cat birthday party, and we get to bring the animals out. It’s so rewarding to watch the kids play, (and) the dogs and cats are getting just as much love.”
Sallie Sylvester, a University of Mississippi sophomore, recently adopted a dog from the Oxford facility. “Adopting Cooper was one of the best decisions I’ve ever made,” she said. “Adopting from the Humane Society is so refreshing because, not only am I getting an adorable new dog. but I’m making a difference.
“I was hesitant at first because, as a college student, I thought it would be a disaster trying to raise a dog, but when I went to the facility, I saw Cooper and absolutely fell in love. I couldn’t just leave without him.”

A cat that’s up for adoption lounging around in the cat room. Photo by Kennedy Glanzer

By Kennedy Glanzer. Read more stories like this on Oxford Stories.
For questions or comments, email hottytoddynews@gmail.com.