AIKEN, S.C. () — A new addition outside Aiken’s SPCA Albrecht Center is helping families reunite with their lost pets — any time of day or night.

The SPCA’s new 24/7 microchip station is already making a difference.

“Our original concept and the main goal for the project was to establish the microchipping station,” explained Jade Garrett from the SPCA Albrecht Center. “We encounter stray and lost animals on a daily basis. Just last week, we took in over 30 creatures.”

Some animals come in with microchips. Others don’t. Without one, lost pets rarely find their way home — maybe just 10% of them.

“When someone finds a lost or stray animal, they can scan the pet and follow the instructions provided to contact the microchip company and locate the owner,” she mentioned.

This simple step connects pets to their owners fast — even after hours.

“On a monthly basis, we get anywhere from 100 to 150 animals.”

While the station solves a real problem, another project keeps pets from ending up here — a 24-hour food pantry.

“A lot of people will give back their pets or give away their pets to the shelter, if they don’t have the means to take care of it.”

The community has already stepped up — stocking the food pantry and supporting the new station.

“I’ve observed that there is more food in the Blessing Box compared to what we first stocked it with. The community not only supports us, but this has become a solution for so many people in need,” she added.