March is Microchipping Month, and Carson City residents can have their pets microchipped for free
March is Microchipping month, and the Nevada Humane Society (NHS) is encouraging all pet owners to have their pets microchipped in case the worst should happen, and Fido or Fluffy should be lost.
Luckily the Carson City shelter, located at 549 Airport Road, is offering free microchipping to any Carson City resident.
Every year, more than 6.5 million animals enter animal shelters nationwide, according to NHS. Many of these are pets that have lost their way from home. On average, only three to four percent of dogs that arrive at shelters are microchipped.
The statistic is even lower for cats, as less than one percent of those entering shelters are microchipped.
"This increases the likelihood that once a pet is lost, it might never be reunited with it’s family, which is why microchipping is so important," said a spokesperson for NHS.
Any Carson City resident must call to make an appointment at the Carson City shelter. You can call the main line (775-887-2171) to schedule an appointment, or schedule one for our vaccine clinic, where we can also provide microchips. The Nevada Humane Society, Carson City address is 549 Airport Road.
We ask that you bring a copy of your ID or proof of residency in Carson City. Someone will give some paper work to fill out as well as make a copy of your ID for our system. If your pet ever comes in, having this information on file allows us to pull up your information without having to go to the microchip company.
The Carson City Shelter encompasses both animal control as well as the adoptions side of the shelter for pets in need.
Titan, described as "the world's strongest dog, and with a super sweet personality," was found and picked up by a member of the community, he was brought in to be scanned for a microchip.
"Because this sweet pup was microchipped, we were able to get him reunited with his owner quickly and effectively," said NHS's Ally Stemen.
The NHS team recognized Titan as he had come to us a few times before, and were thankful to have had the chance to reunite Titan with his owner.
"Microchipping is a safe and easy way pet owners can ensure that their pet is returned to them should they ever be lost," said Clay Johnson, Carson City Shelter Manager. "This service is so essential to keeping people and their pets together, that we offer it for free to Carson City residents."
Fauna the cat also received a happy ending to her story thanks to microchipping.
Fauna is a 12-year-old cat who escaped from her pet-sitter's home almost a year ago.
Despite her owner’s efforts to locate her, Fauna was nowhere to be found and, because she was an older cat, her owner eventually assumed Fauna had passed away.
Then on July 10th, a good Samaritan brought in a stray cat and when the Washoe County Regional Animal Services team scanned it, they found a microchip.
"The microchip information helped us contact Fauna’s owner and we were able to reunite these two after a year-long adventure,” said a spokesperson from the Washoe County Regional Animal Services Team.
To learn more about this important pet service, you can visit https://nevadahumanesociety.org/news/the-importance-of-microchipping/ or call the Nevada Humane Society at (775-887-2171) to schedule an appointment for a free microchip.