In recognition of National Chip Your Pet Month, and with the help of 24PetWatch microchip registry, Woods Humane Society will host four, free microchip clinics to help community members if their pets become lost.

The free clinics are by appointment only. They will be held 2-4 p.m. Friday, May 2 and May 16 at Woods North County, 2300 Ramona Road, Atascadero; and 2-4 p.m. Wednesday, May 7 and May 21 at Woods SLO, 875 Oklahoma Ave., San Luis Obispo.

Microchips, which normally cost $20 at Woods Humane Society, are about the size of a grain of rice and are implanted just under the skin.

Each chip contains a unique code that can be scanned easily by a veterinarian or an animal shelter employee to look up the pet owner’s contact information in an online national database like 24PetWatch.

“Time and time again, we have seen animals labeled as ‘strays’ come into the shelter only to learn with a quick scan that they have a loving family looking for them,” says Woods CEO Emily L’Heureux.

“Microchips are tiny, harmless and inexpensive, but they make a huge impact,” she said. “They enable us to reunite pets with grateful families and keep owned animals out of the shelter so that we can reserve that space for animals who are truly without a home.

“All Woods animals are microchipped before being adopted, and we highly recommend all pet owners take this step for the sake of their own pets, and for those in need of shelter.”

The American Humane Association estimates that 10 million pets are lost in the United States each year, and only 15 percent of lost dogs and 2 percent of lost cats in shelters without ID tags or microchips are reunited with their owners. Pets with microchips are 20 times more likely to be reunited with their owners.

In advance of summer adventures and Fourth of July fireworks, especially, Woods Humane Society says it is crucial that pet owners protect their pets by microchipping and making sure their microchip registration is up-to-date with current contact information.

Local pet owners can learn more or make an appointment to get their pets microchipped for free at either Woods Humane location by visiting  woodshumanesociety.org/microchip.

For more about adopting, donating or other programs, visit www.woodshumane.org, or call 805-543-9316 or 805-466-5403.