Chocolate chips & microchips
Pet owners enjoy ice cream, while their pets get IDs at McKamey Center party
The exploding colors of July Fourth fireworks are exciting for adults and children — but not the family pet.
Those pyrotechnic shrills and booms can hurt a dog’s ears, and in combination with unknown guests coming to visit, the holiday can be a confusing and anxious time for dogs and cats. And when they’re scared, pets tend to run for cover, resulting in an increase in lost pets in the days following the Fourth.
So in preparation for July 4, McKamey Animal Center is hosting an ice cream social today, June 29, from 4 to 7 p.m. at the center, 4500 N. Access Road.
Pet owners can enjoy free ice cream from Clumpies Ice Cream Co. and their pets can be microchipped for free. There will also be a doggie splash park for dogs and their owners to splash in and dog treats from The Ark. As of press time, ice cream flavors were still undetermined.
“This event is to honor the late Luther Masingill and his desire to see all animals go home to their rightful owners,” says Paula Hurn, director of operations at McKamey Animal Center.
The morning radio personality was well-known for his advocacy for animals and for reminding listeners every summer to bring their pets inside on the Fourth of July so fireworks wouldn’t scare them into running off.
Hurn says last year McKamey took in close to 100 animals on the week after July 4.
“Animals are highly susceptible to getting lost around the Fourth of July. Fireworks scare them. Company is coming in and out of the house, and they will dart out the door while it’s open. We are trying to chip as many animals as possible to prepare for the Fourth,” she says.
During this event, microchipping for dogs and cats is free thanks to Datamars and the McKamey family. Datamars has donated 150 microchips to McKamey, which will be distributed today on a firstcome, first-served basis.
Hurn says a microchip is about the size of a grain of rice and is implanted under the skin between the shoulder blades in a procedure that is like giving the dog a shot.
The beauty of microchipping a pet is that the electronic ID chip is permanent, so when a lost animal is brought to a shelter — whether locally or out of town — that facility can check to see if it is microchipped, and if so, the owner is immediately contacted as to where their lost animal can be picked up. A procedure that just takes a few seconds, can offer lifetime protection.
For more information: 423-305-6500.