Lost Pets Have New Ally: Riverside County Fire Stations

RIVERSIDE COUNTY, CA — Another tool has been deployed in Riverside County to help lost pets get returned home.

On Friday, the Riverside County Animal Services Department announced it has launched a pilot program in which 20 microchip scanners are being dispersed to Cal Fire/Riverside County Fire stations. If a good Samaritan finds a lost pet, the animal can be taken to a participating station for scanning.

“We’re getting so much great help from the public these days in getting lost pets back to the rightful owner,” Animal Services Director Julie Bank said. “To that end, these 20 scanners will act as another tool for the kind people trying to reunite stray pets quickly and avoiding an overnight stay at one of our shelters.”

The microchip-scanners-at-fire-stations concept started at various departments across the country in recent years, and sparked a partnership between RCDAS and Cal Fire/Riverside County Fire Department, RCDAS said.

"The pilot program gives community members another option to check for chips rather than driving a farther distance to the nearest shelter or veterinary clinic," Friday's RCDAS news release said.

RCDAS used grant funds for the pilot program.

Cal Fire/Riverside County Fire Department Chief Bill Weiser said his crews are dedicated to assisting in getting beloved pets reunited with their owners.

“We are very happy to be a part of this community assistance program with our partners at Riverside County Department of Animal Services," he said.

Participating fire stations, so far, include:

Station No. 3 (Nuview), No. 8 (Woodcrest), No. 11 (Lakeland Village), No. 19 (Highgrove), No. 22 (Cherry Valley), No. 23 (Pine Cove), No. 26 (Little Lake), No. 27 (Eastvale), No. 34 (Winchester), No. 35 (Roy Wilson, Thousand Palms), No. 53 (Garner Valley), No. 64 (Sycamore Creek, Corona), No. 72 (Valley Vista), No. 81 (North Bermuda Dunes), No. 82 (Lake Hills) and No. 83 (French Valley).

Firefighters at participating stations will hand over the microchip scanner to the community member; firefighters cannot assist with handling the stray pet, according to RCDAS. If the lost pet has a microchip, the person will be given instructions on how to make contact with the owner.

Pet finders are asked to be cognizant of the firefighters’ work schedules and visit participating stations only during normal business hours. There will be times the firefighters are on a call and unable to assist.

“Certainly emergency calls for service take precedent for our firefighters, but we’re excited and thankful our friends at the Riverside County Fire Department agreed to this unique partnership,” Bank said.