In March, photographer David Jensen set up the first 907Chip station in Alaska near Anchorage Veterinary Clinic and Urgent Care. Unlike traditional search methods these 24/7 stations let people instantly scan a pet´s microchip to help locate their family.
Within just a few days the very first station reunited a lost dog with its owner in under 30 minutes. Jensen, a full time pet and family photographer, got the idea after seeing a similar program in North Carolina on Facebook.
Inspired by the potential he fundraised through portrait sessions and local donations to build the stations himself. By April Jensen had built six 907Chip stations in Alaska placing them in Anchorage, Girdwood, Eagle River and Palmer.
He plans to expand to Fairbanks Kenai and other communities where people have requested locations. Each station sits inside a weatherproof box and includes a handheld scanner and detailed instructions printed by Jensen.
The user-friendly design helps people find and read microchips which sometimes migrate under the pet´s skin. Each scanner station is also personalized. For instance, the one outside Alyeska Canine Trainers is named “Sparky’s Station,” honoring a beloved agility dog owned by local trainer Maija Doggett.
Doggett, who has lived in Alaska for 40 years, says she’s always wished for something like this to help reunite pets and their owners quickly. Although one scanner was recently stolen, Jensen remains committed to his mission. With over $4,000 raised he’s already rebuilding. As Jensen says, it’s not just about tech it’s about love, community, and doing the right thing when a tail is lost.
