Milwaukee Fire Department adds microchip scanners to help ID lost pets

A $6,000 grant from Friends of MADACC bought handheld microchip scanners for all 31 Milwaukee fire stations, allowing on-scene checks to help reunite lost pets with their owners.

Milwaukee’s fire department has new handheld microchip scanners at all 31 city fire stations thanks to a $6,000 grant from Friends of MADACC. The devices let firefighters scan lost dogs and cats on scene to find owner contact information without waiting for the Milwaukee Area Domestic Animal Control Commission. Officials demonstrated the scanners at a news conference using two adoptable MADACC dogs. Friends of MADACC raised the funds through donations and previously worked with the police department on a similar project. Key details: - A $6,000 grant from Friends of MADACC purchased handheld microchip scanners for all 31 Milwaukee fire stations. - Fire stations can now check a pet for a microchip and contact the owner without waiting for MADACC to arrive. - Scanning a pet takes about a second, as demonstrated by Milwaukee Fire Department Community Relations Director Carlos Velázquez Sánchez. - Demonstrations at the news conference included two adoptable MADACC dogs named Turbo and Deebo. - MADACC offers $30 microchip services by appointment and Friends of MADACC provides free microchipping at Community Pet Clinics for those who need it. Summary: The new scanners are intended to speed reunions of lost pets with their owners and to keep more animals out of the shelter system. Undetermined at this time.