(Source: West Bloomfield Police Department)

The West Bloomfield Police Department is pleased to announce the addition of a piece of technology that can help the owner of a lost pet recover their companion. The device is an IMAX+ pet microchip scanner. When an animal, usually a dog or cat, is brought into the police department or is found on the street by an officer, the device can be waived over the animal to check for the presence of a microchip. If a microchip has been implanted on the animal, a screen on the device will provide information regarding the company with which the microchip is registered. The company is then contacted to retrieve owner information. 

The device was used successfully by our department the first day that we had it in our possession. A resident had called indicating that he had found a cat that was wearing an electronic collar. The responding officer brought the cat to the station and the scanner was utilized. The scanner provided information that led to the return of the cat to the appreciative owner. As it turned out, the cat was a $3,000 hybrid breed. 

Pet owners are encouraged to contact their veterinarian to obtain information regarding microchips.