Microchip, Pet Vaccination Clinic Planned for Vernon Hills

From Vernon Hills PD: Pet owners - mark your calendar! In conjunction with the Lake County Health Department, the Vernon Hills Police Department will be hosting a pet vaccination and microchip clinic on Saturday, May 11, 2019 from 9 am to noon. The event will be held at the Vernon Hills Public Works facility, 490 Greenleaf Drive.

Having a pet microchipped is a great way to get your pet back if it is lost (or stolen). Collars and tags can be lost or removed, but a microchip lasts for the life of the pet. Most shelters and veterinarians have scanners to check for a microchip, so an owner can be notified within hours of the pet being scanned. (Vernon Hills PD also has a scanner.) The microchip is about the size of a grain of rice and is implanted under the pet’s skin, usually between the shoulder blades. Having it does not hurt the animal. The cost for a microchip is $15 per pet - cash only. The pet will then also be registered with the Lake County Animal Care and Control Program. For an additional fee, the pet owner can also register for additional services with Home Again, the chip provider. These services include 24- hour notification, travel assistance if your pet is found far from home, and Lost Pet Alerts that are sent out to shelters, veterinarians and concerned citizens who have signed up to be on the lookout for lost pets. All animals brought to the clinic on May 11 must be at least four months old. Cats must be in a carrier and dogs must be leashed. In addition, if a dog owner had reason to believe that the animal may bite, the owner is asked to bring a muzzle.

A complete list of vaccination costs can be found at vhpd.com. Upon request, accommodations
for handicapped pet owners and hard-to-control pets will be made. A local groomer will also be on hand offering nail trimming. For additional information, contact Community Service Officer Lon Paulausky at (847) 362-4449.