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Microchipping Available through Aiken County Animal Shelter
     
 
 
October 23, 2006

We are all aware that Aiken County’s pet population is growing by leaps and bounds. We also know if a family pet is lost without permanent identification, he may be lost forever. Losing a pet can be heartbreaking; however, an unsuccessful search to locate your pet is even more heartbreaking. Over the years many different methods of keeping track of pets have been developed including license tags for local identification and tattooing for nationwide identification. But, these options are not permanent.

Pet microchips have been useful in the return of lost pets. Microchipping is permanent and is offered by Aiken County Animal Control for a nominal fee.

Pet microchips are smaller than a grain of rice and are inserted under the skin between the shoulder blades using a sterile needle. Insertion is quick and causes no more discomfort that the usual vaccination. Once the microchip is implanted, the chip number and owner's name are registered with a national database. Veterinarians and shelters can read the digital number on the chip inside the capsule using a special scanner. If your pet is picked up as a stray and has been microchipped, the Shelter can more quickly identify and find the owner by placing a phone call to the microchip company. 

Microchipping encourages responsible pet ownership. When an animal is adopted from the Aiken County Animal Shelter, not only will the animal be spayed or neutered, but will also have been given age-appropriate shots and a microchip implanted. This procedure is authorized by State Law. The fee for the adoption including microchipping is $70 per animal, which is nothing compared to the permanent loss of your pet.

The Animal Shelter also offers microchipping for citizen-owned dogs and cats for $23. Microchipping is completely permanent and it cannot be cut off or altered. While microchipping is still not a guarantee that your pet will not be lost, or if lost that you’ll get him back, it certainly reduces the risks.

If you would like to have your pet microchipped, please contact the Aiken County Animal Shelter by calling (803) 642-1537.  The Aiken County Animal Shelter is located at 411 Wire Road, Aiken. The hours of operation are: M - F  9:00 AM – 12:00 Noon and 1:30 PM  -  4:30 PM and Saturday 10:00 AM – 1:00 PM. 
 
 
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