Many happy returns: King County Animal Shelter uses microchip to reunite missing dog with family

A Seattle family and their dog were happily reunited for the Labor Day holiday thanks to a rice-sized piece of technology that no pet should be without. Over a year ago, Marty, a three year old Schnauzer, disappeared from the Kelly family's neighborhood in Magnolia. The family was devastated and assumed they'd never see him again.

Then last month, King County Animal Control Officer Pam MacLaren responded to a call about a vicious dog. Instead, she found one aggressive dog and one laid back pooch. A microchip scan identified the compliant canine as Marty the missing schnauzer. He appeared well fed, well-behaved and generally well cared for, despite being tied out with a more aggressive dog.

King County Animal Control notified the ecstatic Kelly family about the recovered dog. "It had already been a tough year for my daughter and me. Then Marty disappeared," said owner Peter Kelly. "Finding him after so much time has been like Christmas in the summer. We put his microchip in two years ago, but we thought he was gone forever. It is such a relief to have him back home again."

Microchips are small electronic devices about the size of a grain of rice that are implanted under the skin of a licensed pet. The device stores the owner's contact information and if the pet is ever lost and recovered, police or animal services officers can pass a small handheld scanner over the chip, read the information, and contact the owner, provided its information is up to date.

Licensing is another way the county helps owners find lost pets. King County pet licenses are required for all dogs and cats 8 weeks of age or older in most areas of the county. A pet license identifies and protects your dog or cat in case they get lost. You can purchase or renew a pet license online, by mail or in person at any King County Animal Shelter location.

It only takes a second for a pet to get loose at home or run away in unfamiliar surroundings. A microchip and license can increase the odds that a wayward pet will be reunited with its owner. The chips are available from any veterinary clinic or from King County Animal Control.

For more information on getting a microchip for a pet, call (206) 296-PETS or visit the King County Animal Control website.