(Blackwood, NJ) – The Freeholder Board and three of the shelters in the Animal Alliance of Camden County are launching a campaign to help lost pets get home safely. Animal Welfare Association (AWA), Camden County Animal Shelter (CCAS), and Animal Adoption Center (AAC) will offer free microchips, chip checking, and discounted ID tags, along with educational material, on Aug. 14 and 15.
“Pets have become huge parts of our families, and we want our community to benefit thanks to our efforts to keep those pets safe,” said Freeholder Jonathan Young, liaison to the Camden County Animal Shelter. “With almost 80 percent of homeowners in Camden County owning a cat or a dog, these programs are pivotal for pet safety and care.”
When it comes to runaway and loose pets, the statistics can be disconcerting for pet owners: about seven percent of dogs, and 25 percent of cats, never return home. Of those cats that end up being picked up and brought to a shelter, only two percent are ever reunited with their owners. The Pet ID program aims to reduce the amount of pets impounded in county shelters by helping owners locate them when they get away.
Each shelter will offer up to 165 free microchips on a first-come, first-serve basis, along with free chip checks for pet owners to ensure their information is current. Identification collar tags will also be available at a discounted rate at each shelter.
“This is a great opportunity for pet owners to come in and take the necessary precautions for their pets,” Young said. “But, microchips and ID tags are also offered year-round at the shelters and are a critical part of how we keep pets with their families and out of our shelters.”
The Animal Alliance of Camden County was formed in 2011 by four local animal welfare organizations and Camden County Shared Services, who decided to coordinate their efforts to better serve the pets and residents of the county. Member organizations work together to improve the well-being of companion animals and their owners in the community. For more information on this initiative, visit www.camdencounty.com/event/national-check-chip-day/