MIDDLEBURY — Homeward Bound, Addison County’s Humane Society, has announced the dates of their 2020 Open Door Microchip and Nail Trim Clinics. The clinics will be offered on Saturdays, Feb. 15, April 11, June 20, Aug. 24 and Dec.12, from 10 a.m. to noon. 
A microchip is a small electronic chip (about the size of a piece of rice) that is inserted under the skin between a pet’s shoulder blades that contains all of the owner’s contact information. Most veterinary offices and shelters have the ability to scan for this chip and quickly identify the owner. The entire process takes less than two minutes and is almost painless. 
The clinic is open to both dogs and cats. The cost of micro-chipping is $35 and this covers the microchip implant and initial registration. Nail clipping is available for an additional $10 fee. 
The clinics take place at the shelter, at 236 Boardman Street in Middlebury. Shelter staff asks that all dogs be on leash and cats be in carriers for this event. Interested parties can call 802-388-1100 to pre-register. The service will be provided on a first come, first serve basis. 
“We hold stray animals for five business days before releasing them for adoption. This is a relatively short window. However, if an animal comes to us with a registered microchip we can reunite them with their family in a matter of minutes. Avenues like social media and Front Porch Forum are great, but microchips are the sure thing and I can’t emphasize enough how important it is to have your cats and dogs micro-chipped,” says shelter manager Carly Lehr. 
There are many animals in Addison County without microchips that would benefit from the upcoming clinic. According to 2019 Homeward Bound records, 220 stray animals entered the shelter but only 74 were reunited with their families.