INLAND: Noisy holiday gives incentive to microchip pets

The busiest time of the year for animal control officers is the Fourth of July holiday weekend.

Why? Because animals just don't like pops, bangs, shrilling Picolo Petes or any type of kaboom heard at fireworks shows, legal or otherwise.

All those fireworks and firecrackers popping off result in literally hundreds of startled stray pets each Fourth of July holiday period. July 5 turns out to be the most problematic stray day for animal control officers.

With that theme in mind, it just makes sense for all pet owners to make sure their pet has a microchip -- and one with updated information for the pet owner, such as current address and current cell phone number.

Animal Services is rewarding those pet owners that get a microchip -- or get their information registered with Riverside County Animal Services. If pet owners register their animal's microchip with Riverside County Animal Services this month, the pet owner will not pay impound fees on the first offense if, for any reason, their dog or cat ends up in one of the county's shelters.

This no-charge-on-first-offense promotion will be valid for the lifetime of the pet.

The "Get Out of Jail Free" pet promotion comes with some important caveats.

The county must still charge the pet owner state-mandated fees. These fees are attached to pets that are still intact.

But the pet owner who has a fixed dog or fixed cat, has gotten a microchip with the county this month, or registered their chip with the county this month, will essentially face zero impound fees from the county of Riverside's Department of Animal Services.

The department must still charge state-imposed fines for unaltered pets. The county is not allowed to waive those fees.

However, even pet owners with unaltered pets will benefit from this promotion -- if they microchip their dog or cat in July 2011 and register the information with the county of Riverside. That means some fines will be waived for that unaltered pet owner too.

As some pet owners know, the Riverside County Board of Supervisors adopted an ordinance mandating microchips for pets.

The cities of Desert Hot Springs and Riverside adopted the county's ordinance mandating microchips for pets. So, pet owners in unincorporated Riverside County, and the cities of Desert Hot Springs and Riverside, are simply following county law by getting their pet chipped.

For more information or to register a microchip, go to the Animal Services website at www.rcdas.org.

Homeward Adoption Center Offering Free Pet Microchips Until July 1 ...

More pets end up in shelters over the 4th of July than any other time of year because noise from fireworks can put them into a panic that will cause them to run for long distances away from home.

After the 4th, Homeward Pet will offer microchips for just $20 (cash only) every Tuesday, 10AM to 2PM, no appointment necessary.

Your dog or cat must be spayed or neutered to get the free microchip.

This is a great deal as microchipping at a vet can cost over $100. You should take advantage of it to save money and improve the chances of finding your pet if it gets lost. Every day I read a story about a lost dog reunited with its owner because it had a microchip.

Homeward also has a Tip for a Pet-Safe Fourth of July fact sheet that can help you prep your pet for the holiday.

Here is the press release from Homeward announcing these services for your pet.

FREE Microchips at Homeward Pet Adoption Center! WOODINVILLE, June 19, 2011 – More runaway and lost pets end up in animal shelters over the 4th of July holiday than any other time of year.  The noise of fireworks causes animals to become frightened and panic, and a panicked animal can run very long distances and become disoriented.  To help ensure the speedy return of missing pets in our area, Homeward Pet Adoption Center is providing free pet microchipping between 10AM and 2PM, Tuesday, June 28th, through Friday, July 1st, while supplies last.

While it’s best to leave pets securely in doors on the 4th of July, this isn’t always possible.  In the unwanted event a companion cat or dog goes missing, a microchip is one of the most effective ways to make sure they are safely and quickly returned to their owner, as it is becoming standard practice for animal shelters and animal control centers to scan incoming cats and dogs for microchips.

In preparation for the 4th of July holiday, Tuesday, June 28th through Friday, July 1st, between 10AM and 2PM, dogs and cats will be microchipped for free at Homeward Pet Adoption Center, while supplies last.   No appointment is necessary.  Beginning Tuesday July 5th, Homeward Pet will offer microchips for just $20 (cash only) every Tuesday, 10AM to 2PM, no appointment necessary.  All dogs and cats brought in for microchipping at Homeward Pet must be spayed or neutered.

Visit www.homewardpet.org/temp/4thPetSafety.pdf for more information on keeping your pets safe on the 4th of July.

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