Chocolate or flowers, diamonds or dinner? Valentine’s Day gifts can be tricky. But when it comes to pets, the County Department of Animal Services knows exactly how you can show your love: a microchip.
“Valentine’s Day is a time to do something special for someone you love, including your favorite animals,” said Dawn Danielson, Director of County Animal Services. “If you want to make sure you and pet can find each other again if you’re ever separated, a microchip is the perfect Valentine.”
Animal Services will offer microchips, rabies vaccinations for dogs and cats, dog licenses and spay/neuter coupons at several pet clinics set for February, including a clinic this Sunday in Bonita.
February Clinics
- Sunday, Feb 12, Department of Animal Services, Bonita, 5821 Sweetwater Road. Noon-2 p.m. Microchips, dog licensing and rabies vaccinations, spay neuter coupons, free gifts.
- Every Thursday, County shelters in Bonita, 5821 Sweetwater Road; San Diego, 5480 Gaines Street; Carlsbad, 2481 Palomar Airport Road. 1 p.m. to 3 p.m. Microchips, dog licensing and rabies vaccinations, spay neuter coupons
At the clinics, pets can get a microchip for a one-time fee of $20, which includes the chip’s registration. Completely safe and the size of a grain of rice, microchips are injected under the animal’s skin and will be scanned to check for ownership at a shelter if the pet is ever lost.
At each clinic, owners can also pick up coupons good for $50 towards spaying and $25 towards neutering dogs and cats at their veterinarian.
Rabies vaccinations for dogs (4 months or older) and cats (3 months or older) are $6. Amnesty from late fees is offered to owners who have failed to license their dog or have allowed their dog’s annual license to lapse.
Microchipping and rabies vaccinations are available to everyone. Licensing and spay or neuter coupons are available for residents of the unincorporated county or the County’s contract cities: San Diego, Carlsbad, Encinitas, Solana Beach, Del Mar, and Santee.
For the protection of owners and their pets, dogs must be on a leash and cats in a carrier while at any of the clinics. For more information, contact the County Department of Animal Services at 619-767-2675 or visit www.sddac.com.
