Credit: Pet Helpers
Pet Helpers is expanding its community microchip scanning initiative with the installation of a second public scanning station at Gold Star Coffee, 3293 Maybank Highway, Suite 205, Johns Island. The station will officially open Wednesday, Oct. 15, at 10 a.m.
This new location will serve as a vital resource for the Johns Island community, empowering residents to help reunite lost pets with their families quickly, safely and without the need for shelter intake.
Following the successful launch of the first station at James Island Town Hall earlier this month, the Johns Island station marks the next step in Pet Helpers’ mission to make microchip access widely available across Charleston County.
The expansion comes at a critical time. Recent changes between Charleston County and local animal shelters have resulted in Pet Helpers becoming the sole contracted shelter for stray animals in unincorporated Charleston County. With an expected increase in stray intakes, the organization is working proactively to keep pets out of shelters whenever possible.
“These microchip stations are a simple but powerful solution,” said Melissa Susko, executive director of Pet Helpers. “With the community’s help, we can identify and reunite lost pets right where they’re found—keeping them out of shelters and back in the arms of their families where they belong. As the only contracted shelter now serving unincorporated Charleston County, we expect to see more animals coming through our doors, and that makes programs like this absolutely vital. We’re incredibly grateful to local businesses like Gold Star Coffee for stepping up to support this initiative and helping us build a stronger, more compassionate community for animals.”
Microchip scanning stations are accessible 24/7 and easy to use. Anyone who finds a stray pet can bring them to the station, scan for a microchip and access the information needed to contact the owner directly.
The program, made possible by a $10,000 KFC Foundation Wishes Grant, continues to expand across the Lowcountry, with future stations planned in downtown Charleston and West Ashley. Each station features a colorful, custom wrap donated by Charleston Wraps, making them both functional and easy to spot in the community.
For more information about Pet Helpers’ Microchip Scanning Stations or upcoming microchip clinics, visit www.pethelpers.org