Dallas Animal Services is hosting a free pet microchip clinic on Sunday, June 28, from noon to 4 p.m. at its shelter located at 1818 N. Westmoreland Road in Dallas.
The event, made possible by a donation from 24PetWatch, provides free microchips for dogs and cats, including registration.
It is first-come, first-served while supplies last, with RSVP recommended but not required.
You can book a slot here.
Microchips serve as a permanent form of identification. A tiny electronic device, about the size of a grain of rice, is injected under the pet’s skin, usually between the shoulder blades. Scanners at shelters, veterinary clinics, and animal control agencies can read the unique ID number linked to the owner’s contact information in a national registry.
Microchipping has been mandatory for all dogs and cats four months of age and older in the City of Dallas since June 17, 2017. Under Dallas City Code Section 7-4.2, pet owners must have their animals implanted with a microchip that serves as the animal’s permanent, one-time registration with the city, replacing the former annual licensing system. Owners are required to keep the contact information linked to the microchip current and must update it within 30 days of any change.
Studies show microchipping significantly improves the chances of reuniting lost pets with their owners. According to data cited by the American Veterinary Medical Association and the American Animal Hospital Association, microchipped dogs are returned to their owners at a rate of 52.2%, compared to 21.9% for dogs without microchips. For cats, the rates are 38.5% for microchipped animals and 1.8% for those without.
A national study of more than 7,700 stray animals found that microchipped pets were far more likely to be returned, with owners located for about 72.7% of microchipped animals in one analysis.
Regular microchipping services are also available through Dallas Animal Services partners for a fee when clinics are not in session.
