Fort Bend County Animal Services Launches Free Microchip Fridays Initiative for June
As part of the celebration for Microchip Awareness Month in June, Fort Bend County Animal Services (FBCAS) is excited to announce the Free Microchip Fridays initiative taking place every Friday in the month of June for residents of unincorporated FBC. This is a unique opportunity for pet owners to have their pets microchipped at no charge. Microchipping services will be available from 9:00 to 11:00 AM, and 1:00 to 3:00 PM.
Fort Bend County Animal Services is an organization committed to providing quality care for the animals in their care while advocating for animal rights and wellbeing. They offer services such as pet adoption, lost and found services, animal control, and outreach initiatives for the community.
According to the American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA), a microchip is a tiny device, about the size of a grain of rice, that is implanted under an animal's skin using a needle. This microchip contains a unique identification number that is linked to the owner's contact information in a database. Scanning the microchip reveals this number.
Microchipping is an effective method of permanent identification for pets, especially for those that don’t always wear collars or easily escape their collars, as tags can be lost. However, the AVMA does stress that microchips aren't a replacement for physical identification such as collars or tags. Microchipped pets ought to wear properly tagged collars as part of a comprehensive identification program.
Microchips consist of a capacitor, antenna, connecting wire and a covering. They are battery-free and sealed in biocompatible glass or polymer and covered by a sheath to prevent movement once implanted. Microchips are produced by various manufacturers, and despite there being no universally accepted "American standard" for microchip frequencies, many organizations, including the AVMA, endorse the use of electronic identification in animals.
It is crucial to register pets’ microchips and maintain current contact information in the registration database. Reuniting lost pets with their owners relies on accurate contact information connected to the microchip. The AVMA encourages all owners to verify and update the contact information registered with their pets’ microchips on Check the Chip Day, designated for August 15 each year.
Residents interested in taking advantage of Free Microchip Fridays are urged to schedule an appointment via the QR code or through this link. Please note, there is a limit of two animals per household per Friday and all dogs must be leashed and cats must be in a kennel. Walk-ins will not be accepted.
For more information, call Fort Bend County Animal Services at 281-342-1512.
 |
Tiffany Krenek has been on the My Neighborhood News team since August 2021. She is passionate about curating and sharing content that enriches the lives of our readers in a personal, meaningful way. A loving mother and wife, Tiffany and her family live in the West Houston/Cypress region.
|
