Story by Da’Sha Tuck, Staff writer

The Calloway County Humane Society is a home for many animals that once may have had a family but got out and lost their way.

The pets in those cages and kennels were either abandoned, lost or born there.

In attempts to remedy this problem the Humane Society and the Animal Health Technology/Pre-Veterinary Club come together once a year and offer pet microchipping as well as other veterinary services. This is an annual spring event.

The event will start at 8 a.m. at the Carman Animal Health Technology Pavilion and will end at 4 p.m.

This is an opportunity for the students to learn more about animal health while at the same time attempting to decrease the number of lost pets in Murray.

“The students benefit greatly from participating in this event,” said Stephanie Shepherd, sophomore from Fort Knox, Ky., and historian for the AHT/Pre-Vet Club. “It gives them hands on experience with the animals and a chance to use their skills learned from the school’s program. They also benefit from this experience by working as a team throughout each station. If you were to walk through the stations you’ll find that everyone is helping each other out in some form or fashion.”

Shepherd said this event usually has a good turnout. She said this year’s event will attract approximately 200 pet owners.

The students that work this event are volunteers. Shepherd said that some courses do require students to volunteer for half of the day but most are just there because they want to participate and get the experience.

“What I look forward to most during AHT Day is the same reason I look forward to Doggie Day Spas,” Shepherd said. “I love working with the animals and working alongside my colleagues. The event itself may be tiring and sometimes stressful, but at the end of the day laughs were made, people go home smiling and tails are wagging, which makes all of the work worth it.”

Pet microchipping will be offered on Saturday. Racheal Goulet, a licensed veterinary technician at The Murray Animal Hospital, said that microchipping is a wonderful idea and that the first thing they do when they find a stray is scan it to see if animals had been chipped. She said she has seen many animals reunited with their families because of this tool.

Goulet said chipping the animals is a quick process that they usually take very well. She compared it to a shot just with a larger gaged needle.   

The cost for microchipping your pet will be $10. 

Trained volunteers as well as students will be present Saturday to inject the microchips. The chips are placed in between the animal’s shoulder blades and is no larger than a grain of rice.

Microchipping is like having a collar on your pet that is permanent and has no chance of being lost.

This event will offer other services including baths, nail trimming, physicals and heartworm treatment. There will also be complete packages offered which will include all amenities.

The only requirement for your pet to attend this event is proof of rabies vaccination.