Thanks to the generosity of area residents and a local business, the Honey Brook Borough Police Department now has two universal pet chip scanners that can be used to help lost pets return home.

Deb Klinger, whose son, Robert Klinger Jr., is a police officer in the department, spearheaded the fundraising effort. "I started a GoFundMe event on Facebook and shared a request that people donate to purchase a universal chip scanner for the Honey Brook Borough Police Department," Deb explained. "Pete Cooper from Spring Creek Design said that he would purchase one to donate ... so I continued to collect for a second one so that each patrol unit can carry a chip scanner."

According to the American Kennel Club, a microchip is about the size of a large grain of rice. For dogs, it is injected under the loose skin between the dog's shoulder blades. It is a simple procedure that can be done in the office of a veterinarian. The microchip has a radio frequency identification transponder that carries a unique identification number. When the microchip is scanned, it transmits the ID number, which corresponds to the pet's owners. Pet owners must register the chip with a national pet recovery database, such as HomeAgain.

In Honey Brook Borough, the scanner will allow the officers to scan a lost pet that is brought to the station or one they may come across. "The animal gets scanned, and if it has a chip, the officer can contact HomeAgain and provide the chip information," Deb explained. "HomeAgain would reach out to the pet owner that their animal has been found."

Deb has been involved with animal rescue for the past several years, helping to transport animals to local rescues. "With the numerous posts about found and lost pets on Facebook community pages, I asked my son if it would be useful if the department had a universal chip scanner. His answer was a resounding 'yes,'" she said.

The scanners were presented to Robert and fellow officer Brian Hughes on July 11 by Deb along with Jenna Quindlen representing Spring Creek Design. Deb reported that one of scanners has already been put into use. "The day we delivered the scanners, they had a dog there, which my son scanned, but it did not have a chip," she noted.

The particular scanners purchased for the police department were at the suggestion of Cathy Herman-Harsch, the founder of Chesco Pet Search, an all-volunteer group of lost pet recovery specialists who operate throughout Chester County. "I have a very good friend, Donna Seward, who is one of the team members for Chesco Pet Search, which has successfully recovered several animals in the area," Deb said. "(The scanner suggested by Herman-Harsch) is the one I set my goal to purchase with the GoFundMe."

Deb noted that the pet recovery system does not work unless the chip is registered. "People who adopt or rescue pets that are chipped must register the chips with the chip company. Once they register the chips, it's a lifetime registration into the chip database," she said. "Pet owners do not need to maintain a membership with the chip company unless they want to take advantage of the membership perks, like 24/7 medical hotlines and/or pet recovery services. The most important thing a pet owner can do is register the chip and keep the contact information up to date."