HCPH Donates Microchip Scanners to Fire Departments to Speed Pet Reunification

Harris County Public Health announced on March 5, 2026 that its Veterinary Public Health division will donate microchip scanners to select fire departments in unincorporated parts of Harris County so found animals can be scanned quickly and returned to owners. Lauren Davis, associate director for Harris County Veterinary Public Health, said, "A simple microchip scan can make the difference between a pet returning home the same day or being separated for weeks."

Community members who find a stray animal are instructed to call Harris County Pets at (281) 999-3191 for next steps, HCPH materials state. In some cases callers will be directed to a nearby participating fire station where staff can perform a microchip scan, providing an alternative to traveling to an animal shelter for a chip check.

HCPH emphasizes that participating fire stations will provide microchip scans only and cannot house animals. The county’s guidance urges residents not to leave pets at fire stations, because stations are not equipped to care for stray animals. HCPH also said microchipping significantly increases the chances that lost pets can be reunited with their families and encouraged owners to ensure their pets are microchipped and that contact information linked to the chip remains up to date.

A map of participating fire departments and the program’s official launch date are expected to be posted soon on the Harris County Pets website, according to HCPH’s announcement. HCPH public posts on Instagram include a poster about donating microchip scanners to select fire departments in unincorporated Harris County, and a Facebook post references a partnership with Spring Fire Department; the county’s press release, titled "HCPH Expands Pet Reunification Efforts by Donating Microchip Scanners to Local Fire Departments," is dated 05 Mar, 26 on the Harris County Public Health press release listing.

HCPH framed the initiative as a way to create more community access points for microchip checks without requiring a trip to an animal shelter, potentially helping animals return home faster and reducing the number entering local shelters. The county did not publish in the announcement how many scanners were donated, which specific departments beyond a social media mention of Spring Fire Department will participate, the scanner models, hours of availability, or training protocols for fire department staff.

Residents seeking immediate help with a found pet should call Harris County Pets at (281) 999-3191. HCPH says it will post the participating-station map and the program launch date on the Harris County Pets website as details are finalized.