Animal Shelter No-Cost Microchip,
Vaccination Clinic Set for May 3
AMES, Iowa – The Ames Animal Shelter will hold its seventh microchip clinic for Ames dog and cat owners from 8 to 11 a.m. on Saturday, May 3, at the Ames Water Plant, 1800 E. 13th St. New this year, with help from volunteer veterinarians, the Ames Animal Shelter will also provide vaccinations for Rabies and Distemper for cats (FVRCP) and dogs (DHPP), and Bordetella (kennel cough) for dogs at the clinic. Also new this year, the microchips and vaccinations are at no cost to participants thanks to a sponsorship from Bailing Out Benji.
The microchip and vaccination clinic is a drive-up event. Owners remain in their vehicle while animals are transported to the microchip implant and vaccination stations and back to the vehicle. Ames residents can register for a spot until April 19. After that, remaining spots will be open to the rest of the public to register. There is a limit of three animals per address. Those interested should submit an appointment request at: www.CityOfAmes.org/Clinic.
“In recent years, studies have shown that cases of panleukopenia in cats and parvovirus in dogs are on the rise, despite the presence of highly effective vaccines available to owners through their veterinarians,” said Ames Animal Control Supervisor Ron Edwards. “Many link this to the economic barriers for some owners to access this care and these vaccinations. By eliminating this financial barrier and providing these vaccines to owners in need, we hope to improve the overall health of Ames' pet population for all residents.”
Microchipping a pet is a permanent form of identification that injects a small microchip under the animal’s skin. Unlike a collar or tags, microchips cannot be lost or removed. In 2014, only 14% of cats and dogs reclaimed by their owners had microchips. Within 11 years, those numbers have grown to 54% of cats and 47% of dogs reclaimed have microchips.
To date, 630 microchips have been implanted by the Ames Animal Shelter’s semi-annual microchipping clinics. The Shelter is thrilled to have made an impact with its microchipping clinics and looks forward to offering these additional services for pet owners.
“Owners of microchipped pets spend far fewer days worrying where their beloved pet has gone and if they’re safe. Typically, we have an owner on the phone within an hour of their stray pet coming to our facility,” Edwards added. “It has been a goal of ours to expand this clinic to include more services to keep the pets of Ames safe and support their families. The addition of these vaccine services would not have been possible without the generosity of volunteer veterinarians and Bailing Out Benji's sponsorship."
The Ames Animal Shelter, located at 325 Billy Sunday Road, continues to be open by appointment only for animal adoption. For other services or more information, call the Shelter at 515.239.5530.
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