AVHS to Hold its First, Free Pet ID Jamboree – by Floyd Rovano

Ark-Valley Humane Society (AVHS) is hosting its first Free Community Microchip and Pet ID Tag Clinic. It will be held from 12:00 noon to 3:00 pm on July 21, at the Ark Valley Humane Society, 701 Gregg Drive in Buena Vista. Microchips and pet ID tags will be provided at no cost.

Microchips are chips the size of a grain of rice that are implanted in the skin of a dog or cat. If a lost animal is brought to a shelter, the shelter can scan the microchip and contact the owner to collect their pet. The procedure is relatively harmless, completely safe, and only needs to be done once. Losing an animal is very easy, and your pet having some sort of ID on them makes it much easier to return them home.

Ark-Valley Humane Society helped reunite 185 lost animals with their owners in 2023; pets who came in with up-to-date IDs were returned to their families sooner.

“We hope by offering this clinic even more pets will have up-to-date tags and microchips so that lost pets can be quickly reunited with their loving families,” said AVHS Executive Director Nikki Ritter.

Ark-Valley Humane Society has been operating since 1991, and advocates for the welfare of all animals through compassion and care. In 2023, AVHS sheltered 621 companion animals, and in total helped 1,546 animals in some way.

AVHS asks that dogs be kept on leashes and cats be kept in carriers when attending the events. On arrival, you’re asked to please leave your furry friend in the car and check in at the outdoor table near the front door so that staff may instruct you where to go from there. There will be an outdoor area with water bowls for friendly dogs.

For more information, contact Emy Nettleblad at enettleblad@ark-valley.org.

Featured photo: Kittens awaiting adoption. Photo courtesy Ark-Valley Humane Society