Spring Rabies & Microchip Clinics
Free Pet Microchip Clinics and $5 Rabies shots offered from the
Humane Society of South Mississippi (HSSM)
February 8, 2010 (GULFPORT, MS) – The Humane Society of South Mississippi will host a series of free pet microchip clinics this spring. The first two dates for microchipping will be February 27 and March 13, 2010. During these clinics pets can also receive a rabies vaccination for $5.
“Nationally about 10 million pets stray from their homes each year,” said Dr. Jennifer Morris, HSSM veterinarian, “We offer free microchip clinics to the public in hopes to re-unite families and lower the number of lost animals that are brought to us.”
HSSM encourages owners to microchip their pets to protect against loss or theft. A study conducted by the University of Ohio found that return to owner rates was 20 times higher for cats and 2.5 times higher for dogs if they have a microchip.
A microchip is the size of a grain of rice and contains a unique number that is entered into a national database and linked to the owner’s personal information. To ensure that a pet will be returned to its owner, microchips can be scanned at most shelters, veterinarians’ offices, and animal control agencies.
Animals may receive a free microchip and a $5 rabies shot at the following locations:
Saturday, February 27 – Neco’s Family Market in West Harrison County from 10 am to 2 pm
Saturday, March 13th – Amos Couch Sr. Ball Field in Gulfport from 10 am to 2 pm
Animals must be microchipped to receive the rabies shot.
HSSM hosted five free microchip clinics in the fall of 2009 and microchipped over 1800 animals.
For more information on the microchip clinics, pet adoption, volunteering, or donations please call 228-863-3354.
HSSM operates a 41,000 square foot facility that houses adoptable animals and offers low cost and high efficiency spay/neutering services at the Louise Fenner Claiborne Spay Neuter Clinic. HSSM took in 14,000 homeless pets and spayed/neutered more than 11,000 animals in 2009.
