MOSES LAKE – The Grant County Animal Outreach hosted their first microchip event out of six Thursday. GCAO will have five more microchipping events Oct. 17 and 24; and Nov. 7, 14 and 21. Microchips will cost $25 during these events; they normally cost $50.  

“We're just hoping to really meet and help as many people as possible,” GCAO Assistant Manager Serena Jewell said. “We had 31 last time, and we're hoping to maybe potentially double that number. I mean, that's the staff's goal. It's pretty high expectations, but we feel like it's doable, just because we'd love to see as many pets as possible get microchipped and be able to go home when they get lost.”  

The events will be going from noon to 5 p.m. on the listed days. 

“The event is like, I say it's a super quick process,” Jewell said. “A lot of people think that it's going to be like a vet appointment where you have to be seeing the shelter for a half hour and all of our loud noises. But if we had a lot of people that were pretty amazed at how quick it was, I say it's five minutes, the longest process is just pulling up all your own personal information and jotting that down for us. But other than that, I mean, the microchip event in itself is pretty quick.” 

GCAO asks that customers come into the building to check in without their pets. Then paperwork will be filled out in the vehicle and a number will be assigned. GCAO asks that customers not bring their pets in until a staff member directs them to do so. Jewell said this is to ensure stress levels of animals are not too elevated when the microchip is placed. The event is a first come, first serve.  

The payment is due at the time of service, GCAO is asking that customers have exact cash or a card. Staff do not have the ability to make changes. 

There will also be free reflective dog harnesses and dog collars and free dog treat goodie bags given to those who attend the event, all of which were donated to the shelter.  

“So the harnesses and colors are reflective,” Jewell said. “We have a variety of different colors that also help with pet safety. So especially with the winter, you know, the nights get darker sooner. So just being able to have their pets seen, as well as their scene when they're walking, it helps ensure that nobody gets hurt. We just want to protect the pets.”