microchipping
WAHS has a supply of microchips that are dispersed to animals in our community for the reasonable cost of $35 per pet!
Each year, approximately 10 million pets are lost in the United States, and millions of those end up in the nation’s animal shelters. Tragically, only 15% of dogs and 2% of cats in shelters without tags or microchips are reunited with their owners. To prevent this from happening to you (and to help support your local shelter), come tag your pet through WAHS!
Just in Winona County, it currently costs anywhere from $38-65 for a microchip implantation at veterinary clinics, and another $50-75 if your pet is not currently a client with that vet. Some vets also charge up to $20 to register the chip, meaning you could be paying up to $115 just to microchip your pet!
But if you choose to get a microchip through WAHS, our Directors will microchip your dog or cat for the low cost of $35 per animal! Microchip registration is also FREE and done yourself online or by phone.
Pinellas Animal Hospital
why are microchips so important?
universal use
Veterinary offices, police departments, and animal rescues all possess microchip scanners. At our shelter, each stray animal is automatically checked with a scanner. When a pet has a microchip updated with the owner’s information, it’s immensely easier to quickly reunite them with their family!
permanence
Having a microchip offers a long-term method of identification that a collar or ID tag just can’t provide. Even if a pet is wearing a collar at the time that they get lost, collars can easily become detached from the pet. In comparison, once correctly inserted underneath the skin, a microchip is there to stay.
ease of application
Inserting the microchip is a simple one-time procedure that takes a matter of seconds, similar to a vaccination. The chip, about the size of a rice grain, enters the animal’s skin through a small needle. After insertion, we scan the animal to ensure proper placement - and that’s it! Your pet is chipped.
proof of ownership
Once you register your pet’s microchip with the online service, you can enter your contact information as well as your pet’s data. These records are attached to the unique microchip number and is a definitive way to prove that you’re the pet’s owner!
cost-effective
While there is a microchip fee, this is a one-time and minimal cost that is absolutely worth it. The online registration service provided with our microchips is free. Additionally, having a microchip could significantly save on daily boarding fees if a pet does become lost and is housed at a shelter or police department.
peace of mind
Having your pet microchipped is an excellent way to protect them. By doing this, you’re giving your cherished pet their best shot to get back to you if they go missing.
want to get your pet chipped?
If you want to protect your pet by microchipping them, send us an email! Microchip appointments must be scheduled in advance (unless it’s done as part of a WAHS adoption). To reduce traffic into the building, we’ll briefly bring your animal inside to insert the chip while you wait in the parking lot. Once the pet has been chipped we’ll bring them back out, complete payment (cash or card), and walk you through the registration instructions.
Please note: If a pet comes to an appointment displaying symptoms of a contagious illness or significant signs of fear/aggression, WAHS reserves the right to refrain from microchipping the animal.
registering the new microchip
The microchips we use are from 24PetWatch. You can read more about their service here. There is the option of purchasing a membership with 24PetWatch for more features, but a membership is NOT needed in order to register your microchip.
register online
Online registration begins here. Enter your contact information along with the pet’s microchip number, photo, medical history, and physical description.
register by phone
Call 1-877-534-0851. One of their team members will assist you.