Southern Utah Cities Take New Approach to Reunite Lost Pets with Their Owners

Ivins and Santa Clara, two cities in southern Utah, have introduced an innovative way to reunite lost pets with their owners by installing an outdoor RFID scanner. This 24/7 public microchip scanner, located in front of the Ivins police station, allows residents to quickly identify lost pets by scanning for microchips, which contain the owner’s contact information. The idea originated from an Ivins resident inspired by a similar initiative in another state.

MacKenzie Peterson, who runs the joint animal shelters for both cities, emphasizes how helpful microchips are, sharing her personal experience of retrieving her lost cat thanks to one. The shelters are often full because they are among Utah’s first no-kill facilities, making the scanner a valuable tool to reduce the number of animals brought in. Peterson hopes this approach will be adopted elsewhere, helping more lost pets return home without overwhelming shelters.