Until July 3, people in Albuquerque can take their dogs or cats to either the east or west side shelters to get free microchipping with no appointment necessary.
Microchipping can cost $25-$50, but because of the number of lost animals coming into the shelters without chips to identify owners, the city shelters are currently waiving any fees.
An updated state-issued ID is required, and participants must be a resident of New Mexico. Some paperwork to register an animal with the microchipping database is also required.
Once an animal can be identified through the system, if lost, owners are more likely to get back their furry friends. All vet offices and city shelters will check microchips free of charge. Also, many people tend to put up posts for lost animals on the Nextdoor neighborhood app or on Pawboost.
For more information on the event., call 311 or 505-768-2000 from 9:30 a.m. to 6:30 p.m. The Eastside Shelter is located at 8920 Lomas Blvd. NE, with the Westside Shelter at 10141 Coors Blvd. NW.