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150,000 free microchips for cats in metro Denver

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Contributed by: Amy Moynihan on 9/30/2008

CHIP YOUR CAT™, the nation's first major initiative to microchip cats for free, is up and running. The program launched in Denver as 25 cats received free microchips and wellness exams.

The program is a collaboration between the Denver Area Veterinary Medical Society (DAVMS), Dumb Friends League and Metro Denver Shelter Alliance members, and is sponsored by HomeAgain and Bayer resQ. Collectively, these organizations will provide FREE microchips and lifetime registrations for 150,000 cats in the six-county Denver metro area-Adams, Arapahoe, Broomfield, Denver, Douglas and Jefferson counties-from September 2008 to September 2009.

Through great cooperation and a dedication to general pet wellness, the primary goal of CHIP YOUR CAT is to increase reunification of cats and owners through microchip identification. Fewer than 10 percent of cats brought in to shelters are ever reunited with their owners. The rate of reuniting dogs with their owners is two to five times higher than cats. For example, last year the Dumb Friends League reunited more than 2,000 dogs, but only a little more than 300 cats, while the Metro Denver Shelter Alliance received more than 30,000 cats. The CHIP YOUR CAT program will help improve these numbers and the outlook for cats in all area shelters.

So far, more than 65 veterinary clinics and six animal shelters are providing this free service. Cat owners can receive a microchip identification implant by scheduling an appointment with a participating veterinary clinic. Or, they can attend a microchipping event at a participating shelter that offers the service on a first come, first served basis. The microchips and veterinary services being provided at no charge to our community have an estimated value of over $7.5 million.

While free microchipping and registration is the mechanism, the CHIP YOUR CAT goals are much broader:

*Increase reunification through identification
*Extend the lives of cats by increasing veterinary care
*Create a more positive image of cats in society

Please visit ChipYourCat.com for details on when and where cat owners can go for free microchips, FAQs about microchipping and helpful links for cat owners.

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CONTRIBUTOR INFORMATION

Amy Moynihan

Denver , CO

Amy Moynihan has posted 87 stories and 0 comments since joining on 11/8/2005. Amy Moynihan 's average story rating is 4.82.

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