Free pet microchipping event set for March 21

Posted On: March 15, 2021

Implanting a microchip is a simple and pain-free way to recover a lost pet. In fact, more than 900 pets have been microchipped in the last nine months at no cost to their owners, thanks to a series of community events put on by Volusia County Animal Services. And this Sunday, March 21, residents will have another opportunity to get their pets microchipped for free. The one-day event will take place from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the Animal Services headquarters, 1250 Indian Lake Road, Daytona Beach.

“A microchip really increases the odds of successfully reuniting a lost pet with its owner,” said Volusia County Animal Services Director Adam Leath. “These devices have resulted in numerous happy reunions. Animal Services is delighted to provide this free service because we know it provides peace of mind to pet owners in the community.”

Microchips are about the size of a grain of rice and are implanted just under the skin. With the wave of a hand-held wand over the pet’s back, the ID code on the microchip will lead to the owner’s name and contact information. For convenience and social distancing, Sunday’s microchip event will feature drive-thru service. While residents won’t have to get out of their vehicle, they are encouraged to wear a face covering. County staff will remove the pet from the vehicle for the quick and painless procedure. Just a few minutes later, the pet will be returned to the owner’s vehicle. To expedite the process, those who are planning to get a pet microchipped are asked to print out the consent form and fill it out before arriving. The form can be downloaded here: https://bit.ly/3lELxbz.

This is the fourth free microchip event that Volusia County Animal Services has hosted since last June, with a total of 921 animals getting microchipped at the first three events.

“The response to our previous events has been extremely rewarding,” said Leath. “We want to ensure the public knows that Volusia County Animal Services is a community resource for pet owners. We’re here to help both people and pets.”