Reno, NV….The staff at Regional Animal Services knows that microchips are making a world of difference in the lives of cat owners. In the past two years, there have been a number of amazing stories in which cats were returned to their owners after being lost for a long period of time or travelling great distances. Examples include:

Splash, an orange tabby who wandered away from his Cold Springs home in July 2011 and was found in Sun Valley almost exactly one year later.

Ponyo, who accidently hitched a ride from the Bay Area and ended up in valet parking at Circus Circus.

Scout, returned to his owner in Spanish Springs after being missing for two-and-a-half years.

Salem, who disappeared from his Citrus Heights, CA yard in January and turned up in south Reno in June.

“These are the kinds of stories that inspired our year-long free microchipping campaign,” Regional Animal Services Director Barry Brode said. “We’ve seen the tremendous value of microchips first-hand, now we want to get them out to as many pets as possible.”

The response to Animal Services’ free microchip campaign has been amazing. However, so far, the majority of free microchips have gone to the dogs.

“We want the dogs to keep coming,” Brode said. “However, based on the success stories we’ve seen so far, we are also committed to having more cat owners take advantage of this opportunity.”

Brode said that Animal Services staff felt more cat owners would take advantage of the free microchip offer if they could do so in an environment where there are no dogs present that might cause stress for the cat.

“We’ve set aside five days just for our feline friends,” Brode said. “From Monday, July 22, through Friday, July 26, our staff will offer a special free microchip clinic for cats only in the multi-purpose room of our Longley Lane facility.”

WHAT:          Cats Only: Free Microchip Clinic

WHEN:          10:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m. Monday July 22 through Friday, July 26, 2013

WHERE:       Multi Purpose Room at Regional Animal Services, 2825-A Longley Lane, Reno

CONTACT:   Regional Animal Services: (775) 353-8900

Through January, 2014, free microchips will be available from Regional Animal Services during regular business hours. They are located at 2825-A Longley Lane and hours are 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. Monday through Friday (excluding holidays).

“We hope your cat never becomes lost, but if it does, we want to do everything we can to ensure a happy reunion like we saw with Splash, Ponyo, Salem and Scout.”

Photos:

1) Splash with owner Carlie Sheridan of Cold Springs

2) Ponyo after being reunited with owner Davon Hayzletts of Dublin, CA in August of 2012

3) Salem waits for his owners from Citrus Heights, California to arrive at Regional Animal Services with Animal Serivces Director Barry Brode

The Washoe County Sheriff’s Office celebrated 150 years of proud service and community partnership in 2011. Sheriff Michael Haley is the 25th person elected to serve as the Sheriff of Washoe County. His office continues to be the only full service public safety agency operating within northern Nevada and is responsible for operating the consolidated detention facility, regional crime lab, Northern Nevada Counter Terrorism Center, Internet Crimes against Children Task Force, court security, service of civil process, traditional street patrols and Regional Animal Services.