COLUMBUS – The Franklin County Dog Shelter is participating in a nationwide effort to improve methods of reuniting stray pets with their owners.
The Maddie’s Fund “No Place Like Home Challenge” supports efforts by shelters across the country to create new reunification strategies.
During March, the shelter will participate in a text program in partnership with Pet FBI that allows individuals who have lost their pet to text LOST to 1-833-746-0099 and automatically receive a link to a website through their phone where they can view all the lost and stray dogs currently in the shelter’s care.
The Franklin County shelter’s reunification rate in 2020 was 34%, well above the national average of 20%.
Nationally 52% of pets with microchips are returned to their owners so the shelter will offer free microchips to all stray and lost dogs reclaimed during the month of March.
A team of dog wardens will offer free microchips in the field to dogs they return to their owners and the shelter will host two free microchip clinics during the month.