It’s way to reunite lost dogs with their owners and on June 26 Down East Animal Refuge will introduce microchipping to the public.

The location has not been set, said DEAR President Randall Melton, but interest is strong.

It’s something the Scotland Neck refuge has researched for the past three years and the organization has 100 microchips which are injected into the dog. During the 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. clinic DEAR will register the owner’s information into a database so if the animal is lost or stolen animal control officers using a chip reader can match the info on the chip with information in the database. “They can hold the dog until its owner can be reunited,” Melton said.

The chips not only help reunite dogs with their owners but can help animal control determine whether a dog is stolen. “They can be used in a court of law.”

The chips are also helpful to dog owners in areas where there are no leash laws should the animal not come back when let out. Even hunters can chip their dogs. “It indicates he’s a valuable dog and (the owner) would like to have the dog back.”

On the day of the clinic the organization will chip the animals it has at the refuge. Cost is $25. Veterinarians can charge as much as $60 to do the same thing. The permanent registration fee through the American Kennel Club is $9.95.

“There are a lot of good benefits,” Halifax County Animal Control Officer Robert Richardson said. “If someone can afford to to do it, it’s almost guaranteed the dog can be reunited with its family. It makes it so easy to get the dog back.”

DEAR recently donated one of the chip readers to Halifax County but the agency has used one since 1999. They chips have helped Halifax County Animal Control return dogs to as far away as Florida.

People who have expensive dogs are using the system and, Richardson said, it is important to do, “Because people are stealing dogs so bad.”

DEAR plans to make the chipping clinic a community event. Four shelters have been invited along with the Humane Society and ASPCA.

The Dog Whisperer or his associates have been invited because the refuge has a partnership with him.

Animal control agencies in the county and Roanoke Rapids will be invited and Melton is attempting to invite Michael Vick, who bought a pit bull in Halifax County, to the event.

The Halifax County Sheriff’s Office as well as other local law enforcement agencies have been invited. “We’d like them to talk to the young kids about dog fighting.”

For more information contact the DEAR Office at 252-826-2500.