EL PASO, Texas—More pets go missing during the Fourth of July weekend than any other time of the year, and for this reason the City of El Paso Animal Services is urging the community to take proactive measures this month to protect pets during the Fourth of July fireworks season.

“Fireworks and guests coming in and out of the house create the perfect storm for pets to become lost,” said Terry Kebschull, El Paso Animal Services Director. “Taking extra precautions ahead of time, such as microchipping your pets and updating your contact information, can help your pets get home quickly and safely.”

So far this year, more than 7,000 lost pets have entered the Animal Services Center. Many of these lost pets did not have a microchip, or if they did have a chip, the contact information was incorrect, preventing the pet from quickly being reconnected with their owner.

Steps on How to Update Your Pet’s Microchip

1. Have your pet’s microchip number available.
2. If you don’t know your pet’s microchip number, you can take them to your veterinarian or any El Paso Fire Department station to be scanned.
3. Look up your pet’s microchip manufacturer by visiting www.PetMicrochipLookup.org and enter the chip number in the search box.
4. The result will tell you which company manufactured the chip and where you can register it or update the contact information.
5. Register or update your contact information with the appropriate chip manufacturer.
6. For an extra layer of protection, you can also add your pet’s microchip information to the www.my24pet.com database for free.

Microchip Opportunities

If your pet does not have a microchip, your veterinarian can implant one on request. Microchips usually cost about $25 at most veterinary clinics.

The Animal Services’ Resource Rover program also hosts free microchip clinics throughout the year, where they can also check and update an existing microchip in local databases. Here is a list of upcoming free microchipping events:

 

Thursday, June 22, 2023

9 a.m. to noon

Blackie Chester Park, 3147 Escobar

Saturday, June 24, 2023

8 to 10 a.m.

Pavo Real Dog Water Park, 9301 Alameda

Saturday, June 24, 2023

11 a.m. to 1 p.m.

El Paso Animal Services, 5001 Fred Wilson

Tuesday, June 27, 2023

10 a.m. to 1 p.m.

Socorro Clinic, 9060 Socorro

Friday, June 30, 2023

9 a.m. to noon

Salvador Rivas Jr Park, 12480 Pebble Hills

Sunday, July 2, 2023

Noon to 5 p.m.

Old Sheepdog Brewery, 3900 Rosa

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