After years of vision and months of community collaboration, Beesley Animal Foundation representatives unveiled the group’s new 24/7 Microchip Station and Outreach Box, now located in Murfreesboro on the foundation's front porch at 2215 Keeneland Commercial Blvd.
After BAF supporters issued a communitywide call for a used newspaper stand to serve as the station, and received one, Oakland High School’s welding class students stepped in to help. They removed several inches of concrete from the base, repaired dents and welded broken pieces to make the box sturdy and functional again.
The station-in-the-making then passed to Oakland High’s Art Club, under the direction of fine arts teacher Frank Baugh, where students transformed it into a vibrant, cat and dog-themed work of art that any pet lover would appreciate.
Shelves were added to the dual-purpose box that now serves as a microchip station to help reunite lost pets with their families, while also being an after-hours Outreach Pet Food Box for pet owners in need.
The DataMars Compact Max Microchip Scanner, generously sponsored by Kathryn McPherson, D.V.M., of McPherson Veterinary Services, is user-friendly and includes clear written instructions as well as a video tutorial.
“We’re thankful for local veterinary partners like Dr. McPherson, whose commitment to animal welfare helps make community projects like this possible,” says BAF Executive Director Dawn Roberts.
Dawn adds: “This long-awaited project is a testament to what can be achieved when a community comes together. Every element, from the box and repairs to the artwork and scanner and pet food, was donated, making this a truly grassroots initiative in service of pets and people throughout Middle Tennessee.”
BAR staffers state they’re extremely grateful to everyone who made this box possible because “it’s more than just a box; it’s a symbol of how our community comes together to care for animals. Through all of our programs, we promote kindness, respect and responsibility, and this project truly embodies those values.”