Pets were taking a second of pain to help their owners avoid a lifetime of grief on Saturday.
Larry Komoski recently lost a pet. With no identification, it was difficult to find the animal. And by the time it was found, the pet had died. So Komoski and his wife were taking no chances with their other three cats as they were more than 100 pets receiving microchips as part of the 11 th annual Chip-A-Thon at Thunder Bay Animals Services.
“It’s just piece of mind,” Komoski said.
For $35 dollars, the permanent chip was put in pets by local veterinarians. Michael McPherson, a vet who has been with the annual event since the beginning, said the large gauge needle does hurt but it’s over in an instant.
“It’s just momentarily and then they’re right back to normal,” he said. “It’s a way that veterinarians can help give back.“
And it is just a moment. The procedure is over before the average owner could say their pet’s name. Animal Services supervisor Jody Kondrat said just like a license, getting a pet microchipped is important. An officer with animal services can simply scan a lost animal in a second if they are chipped and have them back home in no time. It’s much better than having to bring the animal to the shelter.
“We still hold those animals but we would not have any identification on that pet. We wouldn’t know who to contact,” she said.
