MICHIGAN HUMANE SOCIETY VETERINARY CENTERS OFFERING FREE MICROCHIPPING FOR 2,000 CATS

Organization makes bold commitment to help save cat lives

For cat owners, it’s a startling statistic: Nationwide, less than 2% of stray cats entering shelters are ever reunited with their families. Last year, at the Michigan Humane Society (MHS), less than 1% of stray cats were reunited with their owners. To increase the chances that lost cats are reunited with their families and to help save lives, MHS’ three veterinary centers are offering free microchipping to their feline clients.  The generous opportunity will be extended to the first 2,000 cats at the time of any MHS veterinary office visit or other paid service. The free microchipping will be provided by appointment only on a first-come, first-served basis.

“So much heartache is caused when thousands of area cats become lost each year and so few are ever found by their distraught families, but that can be easily prevented by taking precautionary steps such as providing your pet with proper identification,” said Dr. Kelley Meyers, MHS Vice President of Veterinary Center Operations. “Lives are saved when pets have current identification to speak for them.”

A microchip, which is about the size of a grain of rice, is inserted between the pet’s shoulders in a process that is comparable to a vaccination. Animal shelters (both nonprofit shelters like MHS and municipal animal control shelters) and veterinarians have universal scanners that can be used to scan pets that are found as strays. If a microchip is detected, the unique, pet-specific code can be readily traced to the owner.  A microchip is not a GPS locating device.  

MHS strongly recommends that all dogs and cats wear a collar with an identification tag, and in conjunction with this visible ID, be microchipped.  If the pet’s collar and identification tags should fall off – or be taken off – a microchip could be his or her ticket home.

The MHS veterinary centers offer appointments Monday through Saturday. Please call:

•           MHS Detroit: (313) 872-0004

•           MHS Rochester Hills: (248) 852-7424

•           MHS Berman Center in Westland: (734) 721-4195

The Michigan Humane Society is the largest and oldest animal welfare organization in the state. MHS works to end companion animal homelessness, provide the highest quality service and compassion to the animals entrusted to our care, and to be a leader in promoting humane values. To learn more, visit www.michiganhumane.org.