For the next six weeks, Pima County pet owners can get free ID tags and microchips for cats and dogs at clinics at PACC's West Side animal shelter, as officials hope to stem the number of strays scared by July 4 fireworks who are never reunited with their families.
About 65% of the dogs who come into the overcrowded Pima Animal Care Center are strays, and most don't have any form of identification, said Monica Dangler, PACC's director of Animal Services.
Only about a third of stray dogs are reunited with their owners.
“We see pets come into PACC every day that are clearly loved and well-cared for,”” said Dangler. “By hosting these clinics, we’re hoping to help pet owners get the tools they need to make sure that their pets can make it home if they’re lost.”
Dogs are often frightened by the booms and flashes of fireworks displays around July 4, and end up escaping from their homes and backyards.
The shelter “typically sees its busiest week of the year” at that time because there are so many Independence Day strays, officials said.
“PACC leadership staff hope that by getting more Pima County dogs chipped and tagged, more pets will stay with and be reunited with their families this year,” officials said in a news release.
The free drive-through microchip clinics will take place every Wednesday from May 29 through July 3 from 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. at the shelter at 4000 N. Silverbell Rd.
PACC will be offering free customized ID tags to all attendees. If owners need collars for their dogs, they will be available for $3 through Friends of PACC.
The shelter is open from noon to 7 p.m. on Mondays, Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Fridays, from 1:30 to 7 p.m. on Wednesdays, and from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. on weekends. To see all available pets and services, check out pima.gov/animalcare.
