Wilson County Animal Control is set to enhance its community engagement and pet recovery efforts with the introduction of new initiatives discussed during a recent government meeting. A key highlight was the approval of a new chip scanning station program aimed at helping residents quickly identify lost pets.

The program will deploy four chip scanning stations at various Wilson County Emergency Management Agency (WEMA) locations, including Lakeview, Watertown, Gladeville, and 231 North. These stations will allow residents to scan found dogs for microchips, facilitating the return of pets to their owners without needing to involve animal control officers. This initiative is expected to streamline the process of pet recovery, especially during off-hours when animal control services are not available.

In addition to the chip scanning stations, the Animal Control team is modifying its approach to tracking owner returns in the field. The director noted that many successful returns were not previously counted, and the new strategy aims to better capture these instances, reflecting the department's commitment to reuniting pets with their owners.

Despite a national trend of slowing adoptions, the department is actively working to boost visibility through social media and community events. October is designated as National Adopt a Shelter Dog Month, and the team plans to leverage this occasion with special promotions and adoption events to encourage community participation.

The meeting also highlighted the importance of collaboration with local volunteers and organizations. A volunteer named Susan Morris played a crucial role in the development of the chip scanning stations, demonstrating the impact of community involvement in enhancing animal control services.

Overall, these initiatives reflect Wilson County Animal Control's proactive approach to improving pet recovery rates and community engagement, promising a more effective and responsive service for residents in the coming months.