Note: If you are looking for your lost dog or to adopt a dog, please visit the Pound Buddies Rescue website to view photos of unclaimed dogs. You can also visit Vector Control's animal shelter located at 1300 East Keating in Muskegon. Viewing hours are Monday-Friday from 8:00 am-Noon and from 1:00-5:00 pm.

In addition to licensing, microchip implantation and tattooing are two ways to make it easy to identify your dog.

Microchip Implantation

A microchip is a tiny computer chip which has a serial number programmed into it. The chip, about the size of a grain of rice, is enclosed in glass and injected with a needle under the skin between an animal’s shoulder blades. The microchip is read using a scanner at Vector Control. The scanner sends a radio signal to the chip and the chip sends it’s number back to the scanner. Vector Control then calls the manufacturer with the serial number to obtain the owner's contact information from their registry. Vector Control uses a cross compatible microchip scanner that is capable or reading multiple brands of microchips. For more specific information on microchip implantation contact your local veterinarian.

Dog Tattoo Program

The Michigan Department of Agriculture (MDA) no longer operates the dog identification and registration program. Effective March 30, 2009, the MDA no longer accepts applications of registration for tattooed dogs nor does it register individuals to be designated dog tattoers for the state-run program. The MDA will maintain the database of designated dog tattoers and the database containing registrant information for dogs, tattooed prior to March 30, 2009, until December 31, 2029. Anyone interested in more information about this program or these changes should call the MDA at (517) 373-1077.

Related Resources

The Dog Law - Act 339, PA of 1919, Section 14a

Other Useful Information

Dog Licensing

Dog Adoptions