(SEPT. 25, 2026) — Finding the owner of a lost pet should be much quicker with the installation of three microchip scanning stations in Cherokee County.
The stations were officially opened to the public Friday, Sept. 25.
The scanning stations are located at the Cherokee County Animal Shelter Intake Building, 131 Chattin Drive, Canton; Patriots Park, 1485 Kellogg Creek Road, Woodstock; and Cherokee Veterans Park, 7345 Cumming Highway, Canton.
The Microchip Scanning Stations were the brainchild of Animal Control Ofc. 1st Class Nichalas Liddle and Animal Control Ofc. 1st Class Meghan Davis. About two years ago, the pair began pitching the idea to their supervisor, and in November 2025, they were charged with developing a solution to reduce the number of strays the Marshal’s Office picks up and transports to the Animal Shelter.
Over the last three years, Animal Control has averaged over 800 stray calls per year.
“I started to research and put together the presentation to present to our command staff,” Liddle said. “Since Meghan was also interested with the stations, I asked if she would assist.”
They found inspiration in what other jurisdictions had done and began researching options and costs associated with installing self-service stations in the county.
“I’m excited that we are able to provide these Microchip Scanning Stations to the community,” Davis said. “With these stations, we hope to see lost or stray pets reunited quickly to their families and reduce the number of animals coming into our shelter.”
Chief Marshal Dana Lloyd said she was impressed with Liddle and Davis’ initiative to solve a problem in the community.
“I love it when our staff takes an idea and makes it a reality,” Lloyd said. “Both ACO Liddle and ACO Davis navigated the process and enlisted the help they needed to complete the project.”
With the help of Cherokee Marshal’s Office leadership, Public Works, and the Communications Division, Liddle and Davis’ vision was brought to life.
The self-service stations feature signage with instructions on how to use the microchip scanner and what to do if a microchip is found. It also addresses what to do if the animal is not microchipped. Each sign features a QR code that will navigate users to an instructional video on what to do. A separate QR code is available to view the video in Spanish.
More signs will be installed in other areas of Cherokee County. Businesses or residents soon will be able to sponsor a Microchip Scanning Station to install at their business or a dedicated location selected by the Marshal’s Office.
(Photo Caption: Animal Control Ofc. 1st Class Nichalas Liddle and ACO 1st Class Meghan Davis are pictured at the Microchip Scanning Station located at the Animal Shelter intake building).
