TYLER, Texas — Pet owners, listen up! The Tyler Animal Shelter wants the public to take advantage of an opportunity they’re offering up -- free microchipping and registration for 1,000 pets.
It's something Shawn Markmann, director of animal services, said the shelter has been wanting to do for awhile. He said if a person's pet gets out, having them microchipped helps both the owner and the shelter.
"The idea is to get more pets back home, and then that also alleviates any room or any space issues in the shelter. The more animals that we can return in the field that never even show up at the shelter the better," Markmann said.
If a pet already has a microchip, the shelter can make sure the information is up to date.
"Microchipping is the only permanent identifier that you have for an animal. Collars come off, a dog can’t tell you where it lives, and so the microchip gives us information on who to call, an address, maybe the origin of a pet if maybe it came from another organization," Markmann said.
This free service is open to anyone, no matter where they live.
"We will microchip any pet from anywhere, you don’t have to live in East Texas. Smith County, Gregg County, Henderson County, Anderson County, (it) doesn’t matter," Markmann said.
The microchipping process only takes a few minutes.
"Before you get done with the paperwork it’s already done. It’s just that simple," Markmann said.
Those interested in getting a microchip and registering their pet for free can head to the Tyler Animal Shelter, located at 4218 Chandler Highway, Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m.