New microchip scanning stations have been installed in Wilson County, according to the county’s Emergency Management Agency. Officials say the effort is meant to help residents and animal control more easily determine whether a stray dog carries a microchip and thereby reunite pets with their owners.
Four new stations will be set up in areas including Watertown, Lakeview, Gladeville, and Lebanon. Each site will include instructions on how to scan a microchip and guidance on what steps to take if the stray pet is not claimed. These stations are expected to be available for public use in the coming days.
The Wilson County Animal Control Director, Steve Gatlin, said the resources are intended primarily for county residents, but anyone who finds a stray in Lebanon, Mt. Juliet, or nearby areas can bring the animal to one of the stations to check for a chip. He noted the cooperation between local agencies in pooling resources to make this possible.
County leaders say the scanners will reduce pressure on the local shelter, which is currently operating at full capacity. The mayor remarked that pets belong with their families, not in kennels, and that these stations will serve as a useful tool in supporting that goal.