Buellton is set to become the first city in Santa Barbara County to install 24/7 microchip scanning stations for lost pets.

The City Council voted unanimously Thursday to approve a $1,500 pilot program for do-it-yourself scanners aimed at helping residents reunite stray animals with their owners without a trip to the shelter. 

Animal Services Director Sarah Aguilar told the council that nearly 4,300 animals entered the county shelter system as strays in 2025, making up more than two-thirds of the total intake. She said the scanners could reduce unnecessary shelter stays by keeping pets close to where they’re found.

“There have been studies that have been done that most lost pets are found within a mile of their home,” Aguilar said, “and when you take them out of the community where they’re found, it makes it that much harder for people to reunite.”

She added that many residents face barriers when trying to retrieve pets from traditional shelters, including limited hours and potential fees.

The stations will be supplied by the nonprofit Santa Barbara County Animal Care Foundation, which is helping promote the program countywide. Linda Greco, the foundation’s president, said each unit includes a retractable microchip scanner, bilingual instructions, and a QR code linking to a national microchip lookup tool.

“It empowers our community to be part of the story,” Greco said, “to be part of reuniting a family with their animal.”

A similar program was approved by the county Board of Supervisors in August for installation at five Santa Maria fire stations, though as of last week, none had been put in place.

The funding will cover the cost and installation of five pet microchip scanners.

The council approved the first three locations — Paws Park, the Santa Ynez Valley Humane Society and City Hall — and agreed to wait on finalizing the last two until staff can analyze where they’re most needed. Aguilar said Animal Services could provide a “heat map of where strays have been found” to help guide that decision.

She also shared that the county offers free microchipping and regularly holds clinics, especially ahead of holidays such as the Fourth of July, when pets are more likely to get lost because of fireworks.

Councilman John Sanchez said the added visibility from the scanning stations could help raise awareness and encourage more residents to take advantage of the service.

Installation is expected to begin immediately at the three approved locations, with the remaining sites to be determined.