YAVAPAI HUMANE SOCIETY (YHS) RECEIVES PETCO FOUNDATION GRANT TO SECURE UNIVERSAL MICROCHIP SCANNERS FOR LOCAL ANIMAL CONTROL AGENCIES
Ten agencies to receive Datamars’ Scanfindr iMAX+ universal, portable microchip scanners as part of large scale YHS Pet Reunification Programme
PRESCOTT, AZ, June 6, 2013 – The Yavapai Humane Society today announced that they received a grant from the Petco Foundation and a generous donation from Datamars, Inc. that will allow them to place universal microchip scanners with local animal control agencies that service the central and western portions of Yavapai County.
Paul Jolly, president of The Petco Foundation said “We are proud to be a partner in helping reunite pets with the people who love and need them. Yavapai Humane Society is making a real difference.”
YHS takes in over 3,500 lost pets every year. According to the National Council on Pet Population and Policy, YHS has one of the highest return-to-owner rates in the nation at 34%. This is due to YHS’ commitment to microchipping and pet reunification. However, a microchip – together with its registration – is even more valuable if an animal control officer can scan and identify an individual animal while still in the field and then take that pet directly home rather than to an animal shelter.
With this in mind, YHS sought and received a $1,550 Petco Foundation grant to purchase five microchip scanners. Datamars, a leading provider of animal identification technology, learned of YHS’ desire to save more animals so they matched the grant and donated an additional five scanners – allowing YHS to put universal microchip scanners into the hands of its local animal control professionals; the scanners are valued at $318 each.
“It’s significant that these scanners are universal, and capable of scanning all types of microchips” said Ed Boks, YHS executive director, “Regardless of where the animals come from, our equipment will be able to identify them if their owners took the responsible action of having them microchipped and registered. A microchip, with registration is the only permanent, unalterable, non-removable form of pet identification. This is one more step in our continuing effort to save as many lives as we can. These scanners will help protect the pets in central and western Yavapai County.”
YHS is presenting two scanners each to the City of Prescott Animal Control Department, the Prescott Valley Animal Control Department, and the Yavapai County Animal Control Department. One scanner is being given to the Chino Valley Animal Control Department. The other three will be used by YHS. This gift enables local animal control officers to scan and return lost animals to their beloved owners before they suffer the trauma of a shelter impoundment.
“We are pleased to have these new tools to help identify and relocate pets with their owners,” said Lt. Tim Fletcher, who oversees the City of Prescott Animal Control.
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About Yavapai Humane Society
The Yavapai Humane Society has been serving Yavapai County’s citizens and animals since 1972. YHS has a shelter in Prescott, a Cat Adoption Center in PetSmart, a Thrift Shop and a separate spay/neuter clinic offering low-cost spay/neuters and low-cost vaccinations. In July of 2010, we adopted a “no-kill” ethic, which has led to our current live release rate of 97%, making YHS the safest shelter in Arizona.
About Datamars
Datamars is the global leader for high-performance RFID solutions for the companion animal, livestock and textile identification markets. Our expertise, track record of technological innovation and profound understanding of customers’ needs have earned Datamars a reputation for unsurpassed quality and performance. Datamars employs more than 400 people with offices in Europe, Asia, and the Americas. Datamars is a private company, headquartered in Bedano, Switzerland. For more information, please visit the newly-redesigned datamars.com.