SELMA – Instead of letting sleeping dogs lie, Selma Animal Services is getting out in the community to promote responsible pet ownership.
On Aug. 22, Selma Animal Services will be hosting a free microchip clinic from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. at Pioneer Village. Operating on a first come, first served basis, Selma Animal Services will be giving out 100 free microchips to pet owners who live in Selma.
As the shelter continues its work to keep animals off the streets, and transition them out of the shelter as soon as possible, animal services manager Armando Gurrola said an event like this is a “win-win” for both pet owners and staff.
“A lot of these dogs come in (to the shelter) with no microchip,” said Gurrola in an interview. “That means they’re gonna stay here rather than going home, which takes up more room and more kennels, then we get full a lot faster.”
Gurrola explained that the first 100 attendees — one pet per household — will receive vouchers to mark who will receive the free chips. For those after the first 100, Gurrola said a waitlist will be created for a future clinic once funding for more chips becomes available.
Once attendees have received their voucher, they will take their pets into one of the village’s structures, where animal services staff will be administering the chips.
According to the event’s announcement on the city of Selma’s website, the microchips are about the size of a grain of rice, and are embedded just beneath a pet’s skin. The process is described as “quick and similar to a routine vaccination,” and the chips will be administered without sedation.
Gurrola said the chips will be coded to the owner’s name, phone number and email, as well any other contacts the owner would like to have associated with it. The chips do not have GPS tracking functionality, but will allow animal services staff to scan them when a pet is retrieved to coordinate a retrieval with the owner.
In order to be eligible, clinic attendees must bring a valid California ID with a city of Selma address, current vaccination records (including rabies and DAPP, if available) and a spay or neuter certificate if available.
With no exceptions, dogs must be on a leash at all times and cats must be in a secure carrier. Animal-reactive dogs must remain in the vehicle with an attendee until staff provides instructions, and owners are asked to bring a muzzle if their dog requires one.
Puppies should also remain in the vehicle until staff is ready to assist, and must be at least 4 months old to receive a chip.
For those who cannot make it to the clinic, Gurrola shared that residents can always schedule an appointment to have their pet chipped for just $10.
“It’s a cheap investment to protect your dog, and it’ll get your dog back to you versus wandering out into the county and not knowing any ownership,” Gurrola said.
