Clackamas Dog Owners: Free Microchipping For Your Pet

If you have a dog and have not yet had a microchip inserted, you might want to stop by an upcoming clinic sponsored by Clackamas County. The county has a clinic the fourth Saturday of every month where owners get microchips for their dogs for free.

The next clinic will be Saturday, Feb. 25 from 9 a.m. to 11 a.m. at the county's dog shelter at 13141 SE Highway 212 in Clackamas.

All you need is a valid Clackamas County dog license.

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The mobile clinic - which is run through a partnership with Good Neighbor Vet - also offers limited veterinary services such as vaccinations.

No appointments are needed.

To get a free microchip, the county says that owners of licensed dogs should:

• Come to Dog Services between 9 and 11 a.m. on a fourth Saturday;
• Verify your dog’s current county license with Dog Services before entering the mobile clinic in the parking lot; and
• If you need to purchase or renew your dog’s county license, you can do that before entering the mobile clinic.

The county says that a dog who has an identification microchip is easier to find if they get lost or if they have to be left behind in an emergency.

It only takes about 20 seconds for trained staff to insert a rice-grain-size microchip under the skin between the animal’s shoulder blades. The chip can’t be seen or felt by the dog; but can be detected by scanners used by veterinarians, shelters and rescue agencies.

After Feb. 25, the next clinics will be March 25 and April 22.

Photo Colin Miner