Animal welfare groups team up for microchip event, help lost pets get back to their owners

ASHEVILLE, N.C. (WLOS) — Local animal welfare groups teamed up to help lost pets get back to their owners.

On Friday, May 10, Asheville Humane Society, Brother Wolf Animal Rescue and the ASPCA Spay/Neuter Alliance held a free microchip event.

In total, 73 animals were chipped at the event.

Those microchips can be scanned to find out the owner of a dog or cat should they get loose or lost.

And animal welfare advocates say this is the time of year when more pets tend to go missing.

“This time of year, it's starting to get warmer; it's nice out. Everybody's enjoying the outdoors, having picnics, eating outside. They leave windows open, they leave doors open, lots of traffic in and out, plus all the holidays with fireworks that scare animals,” said Eleanor Sprinkle, with ASPCA Spay/Neuter Alliance. “It's just easier access for animals to get out and sneak away — less notice.”

Pet owners at Friday's event also got a collar tag with a QR code.

Anyone who finds a lost pet can scan that code with their phone, and it will send a pin to the owner so they know where their animal is located.