WCSO NEWS — Washoe County Regional Animal Services announced today that they have extended their highly successful free microchipping campaign for an additional two years. Washoe County pet owners may microchip their pets for free at Animal Services through January of 2016.

“We want to continue to do everything we can to help reunite lost pets with their families as quickly as possible,” Regional Animal Services Director Barry Brode said. “Experience proves time and again that microchips are the most effective and efficient means for getting pets home.”

Because microchips have proven themselves as invaluable to their mission, Regional Animal Services initiated a year-long free microchipping campaign in January, 2013. The campaign’s goal was to microchip 5,000 pets by the end of January 2014.

“The campaign was an enormous success,” Brode said. “We exceeded our goal by well over 2,000 pets and decided it would be in the best interest of our community to continue offering free microchips for another two years. We encourage all pet owners, even those who think their pets never leave home, to take advantage of this free service.”

Free microchips will be available from Regional Animal Services during regular business hours. They are located at 2825-A Longley Lane and hours are 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. Monday through Friday, and Saturday from 11:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. (excluding holidays).

A microchip is a small, electronic chip enclosed in a glass cylinder about the size of a grain of rice. The microchip is activated by a scanner that receives an identification number which is linked to the pet owner’s contact information stored in the Animal Services’ database.

In many cases missing and lost pets that are microchipped are returned to their homes without ever having to be brought to the shelter, therefore reducing stress for the pet and the family.

Once microchipped, Animal Services encourages pet owners to register their microchip online at homeagain.com to ensure proper identification if the pet should ever become lost outside of Washoe County.

For more information please visit www.washoeanimals.com.