Microchips, economy lead to change in population, mission of county pet facility

Stray dogs and cats or pets that have wandered away from home no longer make up most of the animals housed at the county shelter.

Instead, the Johnson County Animal Shelter is filled with pets that have been left there intentionally by their owners.

The number of animals that are found in neighborhoods and brought to the shelter to be claimed by their owners has decreased the past five years because more owners are having their pets microchipped, meaning animal shelter workers can return the animals to their homes without ever bringing them to the shelter in Franklin.

But during a similar time period, more residents are giving up on pet ownership.

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