A new animal control ordinance in Gulfport is aimed at making it easier for authorities to find the owners of stray dogs.

David Waltman, director of the animal shelter clinic in Gulfport, says the law affects strays picked up for the first time and claimed by their owners. Before the owner can get the animal back, a micro chip will have to be implanted in the animal’s skin. That will help authorities find the owner if the animal strays again.

Shelter officials say microchips can prevent dogs and cats from ever stepping foot there. They say animal control officers have the technology to scan the animals, then use that information to take them directly home. Shelter officials say the fewer animals in the shelter, the better.