Save Your Pet’s Life This Weekend; Make Microchipping Part of Disaster Planning
With peak wildfire season fast approaching, pet owners can improve their disaster preparedness plans and even save their pets’ lives for just $10 Sunday.
San Diego County’s Department of Animal Services is offering $10 microchipping — in addition to rabies vaccinations, dog licensing, and coupons to help pay for spaying and neutering — from noon to 2 p.m. Sunday at its facility in San Diego, located at 5480 Gaines St, 92110.
Animal Services Director Dawn Danielson said getting pets microchipped is the best way to reunite lost animals with owners quickly after disasters.
“It could save your pet’s life,” Danielson said. “We have rescued hundreds of animals during past fires and the first thing we do is check for a microchip.”
In June, the County News Center (CNC) wrote about Marilyn Monroe, a cute little Pomeranian who was happily reunited with her Chula Vista family after being missing for more 2 ½ years — because she was identified by her microchip.
And just last month, CNC reported about Koda, another Pomeranian, who was flown back to his owner in Rogers, Arkansas, after a Good Samaritan found the wandering pooch and Animal Services read his microchip.
Animal Services will microchip pets for a one-time $10 fee, including registration, Sunday.
Microchipping and rabies vaccinations will be available to all pet owners. Rabies shots are $6 for dogs four months old and older and for cats three months old and older. Amnesty from late fees is being offered to dog owners who have failed to get their dogs licensed, or who allowed their dog’s license to lapse.
Spay/neuter coupons and dog licenses will be available to pet owners who live in the unincorporated county or in the cities of San Diego, Carlsbad, Del Mar, Encinitas, Santee and Solana Beach, which contract with County Animal Services.
Spay/neuter coupons offer $50 off for female cats and dogs, and $25 off for male dogs and cats.
To protect owners and their pets, dogs must be on leashes and cats must be in pet carriers while visiting the clinic.
For more information, contact the Department of Animal Services at (619) 767-2675 or visit www.sddac.com.