Edit

PACC Hosting Microchip Clinic To Prepare For July 4 Holiday

Government and Politics

June 29, 2023

From: Pima County Government

PACC hosting microchip clinic to prepare for July 4 holiday

PIMA COUNTY, June 28, 2023 -- Pima Animal Care Center is holding a free microchip clinic at Kino Sports Complex, 2500 E. Ajo Way, July 1 and 2. Staff will begin processing pets at 8 a.m. and will continue until noon on both days.

PACC’s Director of Animal Services, Monica Dangler, said that the July 4 holiday is the busiest week of the year for animal shelters.

“PACC typically sees about 250 dogs come into the shelter in the days after the holiday,” said Dangler. “We are hoping to get ahead of that by providing free microchips to Pima County residents this weekend that will allow them to quickly reunite with pets who may run away during noisy fireworks celebrations.”

Anyone who owns a dog and lives in Pima County is eligible for a free microchip. This event is specific to dogs only and will be conducted as a drive-thru, allowing pets and people to stay in the air-conditioned comfort of their cars.

PACC has faced a capacity crisis over the past year and typically houses more dogs than the shelter has kennels. Dangler is urging the public to remember that adopting or fostering a dog ahead of the holiday can help create kennel space and help the shelter get through the holiday. Earlier this week, the shelter was forced to clear approximately a third of its kennels for sanitation purposes, forcing PACC leadership, volunteers, and county administration to consider a wide variety of options to avoid euthanasia.

Eventually, with the help of volunteers, temporary housing was found for the dogs, but PACC’s kennels are currently full, leaving no space for incoming dogs without existing dogs being fostered or adopted.

“Together, we accomplished something amazing this week. But we have to keep up this momentum moving forward,” said Dangler. “We need folks now as much as ever, both to adopt and foster and to keep their pets at home safe.”

PACC will be closed on July 4, but emergency services will be available by calling Animal Protection Services Dispatch at 520-724-5900 ext. 4. If members of the public find a dog, they are strongly encouraged to file a report on PetcoLove Lost and follow the instructions on PACC’s website to help reunite the pet.

All pets are currently free to adopt. A $20 licensing fee applies to adult dogs. PACC is open from noon to 7 p.m. on Mondays, Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Fridays, from 1:30 to 7 p.m. on Wednesdays, and from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. on weekends. To see all available pets and services, please visit pima.gov/animalcare.