The Holt family of Virginia got a big surprise recently - their family pet, an 85-pound German shepherd named Deacon, who had been missing for more than two months, was returned.

Deacon had become a beloved family member, and everyone was upset at his disappearance. But a call from a man in Deland, Fla., changed everything. The man thought he had the dog. The family was not sure until the man asked if the dog’s name was Bruno. The dog had been microchipped before the Holts adopted him, and his name original was Bruno.

In the procedure, “a chip the size of a grain of rice will be inserted under the pet’s skin with no pain by a veterinarian,” said Lorraine Berry of the Humane Society of Harris County, which is sponsoring a microchipping clinic Saturday in Pine Mountain.

Lisa Smith, supervisor with the Troup County Animal Shelter, believes that microchipping is important. Though she has not been involved in the procedure herself, Smith said she had heard of lost animals being returned to rightful owners, “even after the owners thought their pets were gone for good,” because of the microchip.

“Collars can be torn off and tags get old, but the microchip is there for a long time,” she said.

Berry said: “Eighty percent of all pets without microchips who are separated from their owners are never reunited with them. With the microchipping, pet owners are found quickly. Animal control or a vet scans your pet, obtains your contact information and gives you a call. It proves positive ownership.”

Each chip has a unique ID number so a lost pet is easily identified. If a pet is lost or stolen, a quick scan can lead authorities to the owner’s contact info.

“Microchipping and a scanner creates an ID card for your pet. The microchips are good for the life of your pet and do not transmit unless they are scanned,” Berry said.

Information from the contact form includes a primary contact and phone number, as well as a secondary contact.

“Having your pet microchipped can give you a peace of mind,” she said.

— To have a pet microchipped, visit Dog-Gone Good Bargains on Commerce Street in Pine Mountain from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday. The fee is $10 per pet for Harris County residents and $15 for nonresidents.

Becky Holland may be reached at bholland@ lagrangenews.com and (706) 884-7311, Ext. 229.