Losing a pet doesn’t have to be a disaster for island residents, as the Hawaii Island Humane Society is offering low-cost microchipping services.
Microchipping is permanent pet identification using a injection of a microchip beneath the surface of the pet’s skin and between the shoulder blades. Microchipping is similar to a routine shot and no anesthetic is required. The microchip is about the size of a grain of rice and is encoded with a unique identification number.
“Microchip identification can quickly identify lost pets and reunite them with their owners. Last month alone, HIHS was able to reunite 91 lost animals with their owners and microchips were a big factor in our success rate,” said HIHS Executive Director Donna Whitaker in a press release. “We are pleased to be able to bring this technology to the residents of Ocean View and the more remote southern areas of our island.”
The Hawaii Island Humane Society Microchip Clinic will be held on Saturday from 9 a.m. until noon at the Ocean View Saturday Market. Cost for the microchipping is $10 per pet. Registration for future free spay neuter appointments will also be available.