Microchip your dog for free

Hays County is a pet friendly county. Numerous groups around the county are concerned about the dog population and how shelters are at capacity. One of the problems for ownership of dogs that get lost and arrive at shelters without collars or identification. One sure way to identify your dog is to microchip it.

Any dog can get away from its owners. “Part of the problem is the owners might believe, oh it can’t get out, but they do. A dog getting a bath runs out. It happens. One good Samaritan found a lost Wimberley dog, and they were from north Austin,” Cathleen Crawford or G’ma Cathleen, Lost and Found Coordinator for Wag and of Lost and Found Pets of Hays County Texas.

There’s only one way to positively identify a lost dog. A microchip is inserted just under the skin of a dog for permanent identification. The size of the chip is that of a small grain of rice.

Usually the insertion of a microchip is done at a vet’s office. “Many can’t afford to do it. Vet’s can charge for a visit and then $35 to $50 a chip. The shelter in San Marcos does it for $22 but you have to drive to San Marcos,” said G’ma Cathleen. The county has been aware of the shelter problem and acted.

“Commissioner Lon Shell made it happen and sped it up. It all happened in four months or so. Old dogs and little dogs don’t do well at shelters. The county commission is trying hard,” she said.

Every two weeks around the county, cities get a chance to hold an adoption event and Hays County dog owners are able to get their dog microchipped for free.

This weekend is Wimberley dog owner’s chance to get a microchip for their dog.

“The Animal Control Unit of the Hays County Sheriff’s Office will be offering free microchips to the first 75 dogs at the Ace Hardware parking lot 14307 Ranch Road 12 in Wimberley on Saturday, March 14 from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. The San Marcos Regional Animal Shelter will also be on hand with some adoptable pets.”

For more information see the WAG Facebook site at facebook.com/wimberleywagrescue/