Press Release
Release Date: 02-19-2021
Local Humane Society participates in the No Place Like Home Challenge
The Humane Society of Valdosta/Lowndes County will be participating in the Maddie’s Fund “No Place Like Home Challenge” starting Monday, Feb 22, 2021.
The No Place Like Home challenge aims to help lost animals find their way back home to their owners. As a part of this challenge The Humane Society of Valdosta will provide low-cost microchipping and registration to the public. “The idea is to help lost animals find their way back to their owners rather than rehoming stray/found pets,” Smith, director of operations, at the HSVL, said.
One of the HSVLC’s main goals as an organization is to increase owner retention in Lowndes County, something that cannot be done by rehoming strays. “We are excited that we now have the ability to offer this service to our community. By helping pets find their way back home, not only are we reuniting families, but at the same time we can prevent overcrowding and euthanasia at the Lowndes County Animal Shelter,” Emily Smith. The Lowndes County Animal Shelter has a low return to owner rate. Based on 2020 statistics, 1651 of the animals to enter the Lowndes County Animal Shelter were considered strays. Of the 1651, only 285 or 17% were returned to their owners.
Along with microchipping, The HSVLC is implementing facial recognition software, social media, and community awareness/education programs to reduce the number of strays/found pets that need to be rehomed in Lowndes County. It’s important that pets who are microchipped are actually registered so in the event that they are lost, they can be quickly reunited with their families. With a microchip, 52% of dogs and 38% of cats are returned home!
The microchipping and registration service will be available to cats and dogs of any age for $25 by appointment only starting Monday, Feb. 22, 2021, at the Humane Society of Valdosta’s building, 1740 W Gordon St.
Appointments can be reserved during office hours Mon.-Fri. 9 am to 2 pm by phone, email, or private messaging the Humane Society’s Facebook page.
The Humane Society will also be present at the 2021 Valdosta-Lowndes Azalea Festival. At the festival, the Humane Society will be microchipping and providing registration for $25 with no appointment necessary.
The challenge will last from March 1, 2021, to March 31, 2021.
To learn more about microchips, visit the microchip information page
The Humane Society of Valdosta/Lowndes County
1740 W Gordon St
229-247-3266 info@humanesocietyofvaldosta.org
Facebook: Humane Society of Valdosta Lowndes
Instagram: humanesocietyofvaldostalowndes
