DCHS is pleased to announce that microchipping services will now be available at the shelter during all open hours! 

Cost:  $30 dogs, $15 cats

Most of us never expect our beloved pets to be lost or stolen.  We hope that leashes, fences, and doors will be enough to keep them safe at home.  The reality is that accidents do happen, and when they do, many owners are unprepared.  One step in protecting your pet is microchipping.

The microchip is an effective form of permanent identification and a good way to protect your pet.  It can be used in any kind of animal at any age and will last an animal's lifetime.  The chip is slightly larger than a grain of rice and is inserted just under the skin.  An anti-migration cap helps prevent movement within the pet's body.

Currently only 20% of all animals that enter DCHS are microchipped.  In March 2005, DCHS began microchipping all adoptable dogs and cats, hoping to improve these statistics.  Each chip is encoded with a unique and unalterable identification code that can only be activated when read by a scanner.  DCHS scans all incoming cats and dogs for microchips.  If a chip is found, the shelter is able to contact the appopriate microchip registry to obtain owner information and hopefully quickly reunite the pet and owner.

If you would like more information about our microchipping services, please call (608) 838-0413.