Dude, Where's My Cat? Free Microchip Promotion

Dude, Where's My Cat? Free Microchip Promotion

Published on July 02, 2024

Dude! Don't lose your cat! Denver Animal Shelter (DAS) wants to ensure any lost Denver feline is returned home by offering free microchips for cats in July.

One in three pets will become lost at some point during their lifetime. The Journal of the American Veterinary Medical Association found less than 2% of lost cats that enter animal shelters are reunited with their families. But cats with microchips find their families 38% of the time-a 2,000% increase!

To help more cats find their owners, Denver residents are encouraged to bring their cat in a carrier to DAS, at 1241 W. Bayaud Ave., to get a free microchip through July. The shelter offers microchipping services year-round, and the cost is usually $20.

Microchips are especially important for cats as they are less likely to wear collars. Cats also tend to roam so people don't look for them at shelters as quickly as they do for dogs. If they are chipped, shelter staff can call a cat owner right away. A microchip is about the size and shape of a grain of rice, inserted under a pet's skin with a hypodermic needle. Veterinary hospitals and animal shelters have scanners capable of reading microchips, which if registered, contain information about the animal and owner. The microchip also provides proof of ownership if the pet is ever stolen.

Denver ordinance requires dogs and cats over 6 months to be licensed and display their rabies tags. DAS recommends owners outfit their pets with a collar that displays both updated ID and rabies tags. This makes it possible for anyone who finds a lost pet to contact the owner immediately.

So, if you do end up asking yourself, "Dude, where's my cat?" have some hope. If your pet is microchipped, you'll likely get an answer and avoid going through a harrowing ordeal made for the movies.

Through July, DAS is offering a Hot Dogs, Cools Cats adoption special of $50 for any dog or cat over 1 year of age.

Tagged as:

• Animal Shelter
• Press release
• Public Health & Environment