Free Microchips for Adopted Pets

San Bernardino County Animal Shelters have received a donation of nearly $30,000 from Animal aRe First Fund (ARFF). The Animal Care and Control (ACC) Division will use the $27,062.50 donation to provide microchips to 5,000 animals adopted from ACC shelters at no cost to those who are adopting the pets. The microchips are embedded in the skin, usually in between the front shoulders, and provide a way for owners and shelters to track down their pets and return them to their homes. Although the tags are mostly used for dogs and cats, they can also be put into animal livestock and horses. According to Animal Control and Care Director Brian Cronin, the microchips can be utilized during times of disaster to properly identify multiple animals who may be similar in appearance. The San Bernardino County Animal Shelters received a total of 10,257 dogs and cats last year. Cronin hopes to use these microchips to see a larger portion of the animals returned home. “The cost of the microchip usually has to be passed onto those adopting,” Cronin said. “Now they don’t have to take on that extra charge.” The regular rate to have the microchip placed into a pet is $20. The ARFF also donate funds to help cover some of the costs for spay and neutering services to off-site adoption events at location like PetSmart.