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Starting May 1st, the Virginia Beach Animal Enforcement Unit is kicking off a feel-good initiative with a big goal—get more lost pets home before they even reach the shelter. The new program, called PAWS in the Field, is a friendly competition among Animal Control Officers to see how many stray pets they can reunite with their families.

While returning animals home is already part of the unit’s daily mission, this spirited challenge aims to increase awareness and build even more success stories throughout the month of May.

To help aid ACO’s in their mission, make sure your pets have ID tags, updated microchips, and recent photos — these simple steps can make a big difference when it matters most.