Micro-chipping pets helps lost pets return home. That's why Supervisor Kate Murray and Last Hope have joined together to offer a low cost microchip clinic at the Last Hope Dog Walk on Saturday, May 30, 2009 from 1-5 p.m. at Wantagh Park in Wantagh. The rain date is scheduled for Saturday, June 6.

"The only way to ensure that a lost pet is reunited with its rightful owner is through micro-chipping," stated Supervisor Murray. "Hempstead Town is pleased to unite with Last Hope to provide this vital service for a nominal fee."

Micro-chipping is a program whereby a tiny electronic chip is injected under the pet's skin. The chip contains identification information so owners may be reunited with lost pets quickly by any shelter with a pet chip scanner. Accompanying the chip is a lifetime registration, ensuring that whether a pet gets out today, tomorrow or 10 years from now, he or she can be brought home safely.

Hempstead Town's animal shelter was the first shelter in Nassau County to place identification chips, free of charge, under the skin of all dogs and cats adopted from the shelter. Pets recovered by the township's shelter are routinely scanned and those pets that are chipped can usually be united with owners with a simple phone call (contact information is electronically embedded in the chip).

The fee for micro-chipping is $25 per pet, registration included. The town's fee constitutes a savings of up to $80 for each pet compared to common micro-chipping fees. Micro-chips will be inserted by veterinary personnel within the Hempstead shelter tent. As an extra precaution, cats will be implanted inside the town van. Pets are welcome at the clinic even if not participating in the Last Hope Dog Walk. For more information, pet owners can call the Hempstead Town animal shelter at 516-785-5220.

"Micro-chipping pets speeds up the reunion time of pets and pet owners," concluded Supervisor Murray. "I urge every pet owner to attend Last Hope's annual dog run and micro-chip clinic."