Residents Can Enjoy Free Microchip Vouchers, Shelter Tours, Adoption Specials and More This Saturday at Responsible Pet Ownership Event

By Haaris Ahmed, Office of Communication

Posted on August 11, 2022, August 11, 2022

Pet owners both new and experienced can come to the Arlington Animal Services Center on Saturday, Aug. 13 starting at 10 a.m. to receive benefits and tours of the facility as part of Responsible Pet Ownership Day.

In order to aid pet owners and help them with the responsibilities of properly owning their favorite cats and dogs, the Center is providing valuable resources such as microchip vouchers and access to low-cost vaccine resources. Pet supply vendors will also be onsite. The microchip vouchers can be picked up at the event and then be turned in for free microchips at a later date, with a limit of up to two per family.

 Tours of the facility will also be available between 10 a.m. and 2 p.m. in both English and Spanish to provide a behind-the-scenes look at how Arlington Animal Services operates and what they do to help the city’s animal population. The shelter is open until 4 p.m. on Saturday.

 Animal Services Manager Ashley Woolnough said people need to ensure they have the proper resources to provide for a pet when considering adoption.

 “The American Veterinary Medical Association outlines six steps to being a responsible pet owner, and these are steps that some people don’t think about before they get a pet,” Woolnough said.

 The AVMA recommends these steps on its Responsible Pet Ownership webpage:

 Commit

• Avoid impulsive decisions when selecting a pet.
• Select a pet that's suited to your home and lifestyle.

• Keep only the type and number of pets for which you can provide appropriate food, water, shelter, health care and companionship.

• Commit to the relationship for the life of your pet(s).

• Provide appropriate exercise and mental stimulation.

• Properly socialize and train your pet.

Invest

• Recognize that pet ownership requires an investment of time and money.

• Make sure your pet receives preventive health care (vaccinations, parasite control, etc.), as well as care for any illnesses or injuries.

• Budget for potential emergencies.

Obey

• Clean up after your pet.

• Obey all local ordinances, including licensing, leash requirements and noise control.

• Don't allow your pet to stray or become feral.
Identify

• Make sure your pet is properly identified (i.e., tags, microchips, or tattoos) and keep its registration up to date.

Limit

• Don't contribute to our nation's pet overpopulation problem: limit your pet's reproduction through spay/neuter, containment or managed breeding.

 Prepare

 • Prepare for an emergency or disaster, including assembling an evacuation kit.

 • Make alternate arrangements if you can no longer provide care for your pet.

 • Recognize any decline in your pet's quality of life and make timely decisions in consultation with a veterinarian.

 Arlington Animal Services is located at 1000 SE Green Oaks Blvd. For more information, please click here to view the Arlington Animal Services website.