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Texas town launches self-service pet microchip scanning station

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June 25, 2026

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The Human-Animal Support Coalition has launched Temple, Texas' first self-service microchip scanning station, providing residents with 24/7 access to a scanner that can help identify lost pets and reunite them with their owners, according to a KCEN TV report. Located outside the nonprofit's facility, the station allows anyone who finds a stray or loose animal to scan for a microchip without waiting for a shelter or veterinary clinic to open.

Coalition founder Amy Dixon said the project has been in development for two years and is intended to help keep lost pets out of the shelter system whenever possible.

The self-service station uses a handheld scanner that reads a pet's microchip and displays a unique identification number. Users can then follow posted instructions to contact the microchip provider and locate the animal's owner. Organizers say the system has already helped reunite pets with their families, including a dog named Blue that was returned home after being missing for nearly two weeks following severe weather.

The launch comes as animal advocates prepare for an increase in lost pet reports during the summer and around the Fourth of July holiday, when fireworks often cause frightened animals to run away. The Human-Animal Support Coalition is encouraging pet owners to ensure their animals are microchipped and that their registration information is up to date. The nonprofit also plans to distribute 50 free microchips at an upcoming community event and hopes to expand the program with additional scanning stations in the future.