Animal Allies Hosts Microchip Clinic Ahead of July 4th, Promotion For Long-Term Dogs

DULUTH, Minn. — Ahead of the 4th of July a free microchip clinic was held at Animal Allies in Duluth.

This is an annual clinic with summer campers helping and hosting a lemonade stand fundraiser as well. Staff says Independence Day week is where they see a rise in lost animals due to travelling or the noise of fireworks scaring them off. Microchipping makes them easy to identify. Being prepared is the biggest piece of advice Animal Allies has for having a successful holiday.

“Kind of knowing your animal, if you know they are easily stressed out, they easily get spooked, having a safe place for them to retreat inside, playing music. Even getting anti-anxiety whether it’s something that you can go get over the counter at the pet store or from your vet depending on the severity of the anxiety. All of that can help and just being really aware. If you are travelling somewhere, you know there’s going to be a lot of noise, ensuring that you have a really good handle, leashes, collars, all of that for your animals and that all information is up to date. So, up to date info, tags, and of course microchips,” said Nicole Facciotto, Humane Education Manager for Animal Allies.

Lately the organization has been struggling with dogs who have been there for a long-time, some since January. There has been a spike in the number of dogs there and slower adoption rates. They ask that those have patience when meeting the long-term dogs.

“The more time that you spend in a noisy kennel with limited exercise, you don’t have a stable routine. Behaviors start to develop as any of us do you know we get stressed, we get overwhelmed so, then when you go to meet somebody, you might not be displaying your perfect best self,” said Facciotto.

Right now, there is an adoption promotion for dogs that have been there 50 days or longer. Fees are $100 dollars plus tax and includes spay/neuter, microchip, vaccines and some food they’ve been eating.