The B.C. SPCA is hoping people living in areas prone to wildfires and evacuations will take advantage of free microchipping clinics later this month. The organization is offering the pet identification service in Kelowna, Penticton, and Kamloops. “This wildfire season served as a heartbreaking reminder of how quickly pets can become separated from their families, and how difficult it can be to reunite them when they don’t have identification,” said the B.C. SPCA’s Kahlee Demers, in a statement. The charity’s statement noted that microchipping does not use GPS technology. Instead, it allows animal rescue groups to scan the grain-of-rice sized chips to access information about their guardians. The procedure doesn’t require any sedation or anaesthesia, the organization noted. “We know the cost of living and pet care keeps rising, and we don’t want that to be the reason a pet doesn’t find their way home,” said Demers, in the statement. “Our goal is to make microchipping more available in communities impacted by wildfires and evacuations. We hope to help more pets reunite with their families when they need it most.” More details about the microchipping clinics are available online. Pet owners are urged to register in advance to secure an appointment.
