Humane Society staff members and volunteers demonstrate how easy it is to implant a microchip in a pet. Photo by Mike Shands Humane Society Offers Low-Cost Microchip Clinic The Watauga Humane Society is partnering with Dr. Cara Roten-Henson of Animal Medical Center of Boone to offer an affordable monthly microchip clinic beginning Saturday, Feb. 12. Microchipping is a permanent method of pet identification that involves embedding a microchip under a pet’s skin between its shoulder blades. The microchip contains a unique identification number and is small enough to be injected with a hypodermic needle. When animals enter a shelter or research facility they are immediately scanned with a microchip detector that reads the microchip number and displays it on a screen. The number is then called in to a 24-hour hotline to identify the pet’s owner. Unlike a collar and tag, that may be lost or removed, the microchip is a lifelong identification system. Saturday’s clinic will be from 11:30 a.m. to noon at the Animal Medical Center of Boone at 1582 Old Highway 421 South. No appointment is necessary, but owners must bring proof of their pets’ rabies vaccination, and the pets must be at least 8 weeks old. The microchipping cost will be $25 per pet, including cats, kittens, dogs and puppies. The normal cost for microchipping can be as high as $50. Proceeds from the microchip clinic will benefit the humane society. For more information about the clinic or the humane society call (828) 264-7865 or look online at www.wataugahumanesociety.org.