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The Maui Humane Society are implanting a microchip the size of a grain of rice into animals adopted from the Puunene shelter, a service, officials hope will make it much easier to return stray animals to their owners. "This is a sure-fire method of identifying animals," said the Humane Society's executive director, Gary Hendel. Using a syringe, the chips are implanted just under the skin between the shoulder blades, allowing for reading with a hand-held scanner. The lifetime implant is inert and has no power source that needs replacing. Currently, all adopted animals receive a health exam, heartworm and flea control treatment, vaccines and deworming. Dogs receive a two-year county license (cats are exempt), sterilization surgery, an identification tattoo and a complimentary first-week checkup at a veterinarian of choice. The adoption fee is $45.25. The society's board of directors has not yet decided whether to raise the adoption fee, Hendel said; so, for now, the microchip option is available at the time of adoption for a $10 charge. According to the Humane Society, the fee for microchip implants, if done by a private veterinarian, is about $30, with an additional one-time charge of about $10 to enter the animal and chip number into a national database. Mainland shelters have used the technology for years and three years ago veterinarians on Maui began using the microchips. Animal Shelter Manager Claire Sheehan said, "Applying this technology to shelter animals is a logical step. Six thousand animals in the last four years were adopted to loving homes, and this program means we have a greater chance to return lost pets faster." For more information, call the Maui Humane Society at 877-3680. |
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