Humane Society and Alliston Pet Valu bring out a crowd for microchip clinic

March 19, 2014 · 0 Comments

If the Alliston and District Humane Society and Pet Valu proved anything with their microchip clinic last week, it was that this quick, easy and inexpensive procedure is well worth it for pet owners.

Roughly 50 dogs were microchipped in just a two hour span at the Alliston Pet Valu location during the clinic, which veterinarian Dr. Monique Antaki performed them all.

Dr. Antaki works at the Boyne Vet Clinic and generously donated her time for the event with the hope that more people would be encouraged to have the procedure done for their pets.

“It is important. It supports the Humane Society, which is the best thing about it, but it also facilitates reuniting you with your pet if it every gets lost,” she said. “It’s the easiest thing, every clinic has a scanner and they just scan the dog when it’s found and then we can find you.”

To make things as seamless as possible at the clinic, all the paperwork could be done on site and then would be submitted by the Humane Society themselves.

The procedure itself is painless and literally takes just seconds to complete.

Dr. Antaki said there are still lots of animals in the area that haven’t been and said pet owners really should consider having it done.

“There are lots without them and a lot of stories, especially with cats,” she said. “We find cats all the time and the shelter is full of cats that I’m sure people are looking for, but we can’t reunite them with their owners because they’re not micro-chipped.”

This particular clinic cost only $25, which is a lot cheaper than it usually costs, making it the perfect opportunity for pet owners to take advantage of.

Pet Valu owner, Jurgen Eichler, said he was more than happy to help support the Humane Society and the clinic.

“I think it’s important for the animal community and responsible pet ownership,” he said. “I am actually quite surprised at how many people we have out. This is the second one we have done and the turnout for this one has been particularly great. We have people coming from Keswick, Cookstown and a few from Orillia too.”

Eichler also said he will continue to support any further clinics that may happen in the future.

“If the Humane Society is keen on it, we’re anxious to support them.”

After just 30 minutes of a constant flow of dogs coming through the door, Humane Society volunteer, Peggy Ely said she was shocked by the interest in the clinic.

“I am astounded. This is the first time that I have been involved in doing this and it’s just amazing,” she said. “It makes such a difference because every animal that comes into our shelter, dogs or cat, we always check for a microchip and it just makes getting back home much easier and much quicker.”

There are no imminent details on the next clinic, but the Humane Society said they are looking at the possibility of having two per year in spring and fall.

By Jeff Doner

Dr. Monique Antaki puts a microchip in one of her patients at a clinic at the Alliston Pet Valu last week. The clinic was quick and inexpensive and saw roughly 50 pets come through for the treatment in just two hours.