MIDDLEBURY – Homeward Bound, Addison County’s Humane Society, has released the dates of their 2021 microchipping clinics on Saturdays, March 20, June 19 and Sept. 25. The clinics will run from 10 a.m. to noon. New this year, the shelter is offering rabies vaccinations as well. The clinics are open to both dogs and cats.
The clinics take place at the shelter, which is located 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. The rabies vaccine is $10 and the cost of microchipping, which includes the microchip implant and initial registration is $35.
Rabies is a deadly viral disease of the brain that infects mammals. In Vermont, rabies is most commonly found in wild animals, however the state requires that dogs and cats be vaccinated by a veterinarian. The owner of a dog must provide evidence of current rabies vaccination status to obtain the required municipal license by April 1 of each year.
 “We know that the pandemic has affected the number of towns that are offering rabies clinics this year, so the addition of this service is a way for us to support the community and ensure that all companion dogs and cats get vaccinated – it’s a life-saving measure,” Says Homeward Bound’s executive director, Jess Danyow.
A micro-chip is a very small electronic chip that is inserted under the skin between a pet’s shoulder blades which 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.
According to Danyow, there are still many animals in Addison County without microchips who would benefit from the upcoming clinic. In 2020, 173 stray animals entered the shelter but only 70 were reunited with their families.