A microchip can help you find your missing pet

SIOUX FALLS, SD (KELO) — The Fourth of July is just over two weeks away, which means fireworks will be flying soon.

Loud noises and gatherings are leading to an influx of stray dogs at the Sioux Falls Area Humane Society.

But an upcoming event could help you find your pet if they wander off.

The Sioux Falls Area Humane Society is hosting a walk-in microchip clinic Thursday from 4 to 6 p.m.

The first 50 tokens are free, thanks to a sponsor.

After that, it's $20 per microchip.

A microchip is about the size of a grain of rice, but it could make a big difference if your dog or cat ever wanders off.

“Animals disappear every day. The only way to truly identify that this animal is yours is with a microchip, because it has a unique identification number,” said Dana Konzem, community outreach director for the Humane Society.

The microchip is inserted into the skin behind the shoulder blades of a dog or cat.

It can be scanned with a wand to help identify the pet's owners.

“A microchip is like a government ID. It’s like having a driver’s license for a cat or a dog,” said James Oppenheimer, executive director of the Humane Society.

The Sioux Falls Area Humane Society takes in more than 4,000 stray animals a year.

Only about 30% of dogs and a small percentage of cats are reunited with their owners.

But getting your pet microchipped could improve those numbers.

“We think that’s part of our responsibility,” Oppenheimer said. “Community responsibility is one of our core values, and this is part of it. »

If you come to the clinic on Thursday, make sure you have your dog on a leash and your cat in a carrier.