Town To Microchip Seized Dogs

The Town of Huntington's animal shelter will begin implanting microchips on seized dogs following the Town Board's adoption of a resolution authorizing the procedure at an Oct. 11 meeting.

The program is designed to quickly identify the dog and its owner, according to the resolution.

"It's definitely a move in the right direction," said Sandra Bergin, an officer with the shelter.  "We take in a lot of dogs without collars and this is a very effective way to match them back with their owners."

Bergin said the packed shelter deals with roughly 500 animals per year, and unlike private shelters, cannot select which ones are accepted.

"We are a municipal shelter, so we do everything we can with our limited space, and we do everything in our power to avoid euthanization," said Bergin.

Dr. Russell Fredericks, a licensed veterinarian, will donate his services to train and certify animal control officers to perform the procedure, according to the resolution.

The microchips will be implanted at no additional cost to the $80 adoption fee for prospective owners through this year.

The Huntington Animal Shelter has agreed to pay $1000 annualy for the microchips, according to the resolution.