Barbecue and (micro)chips bring in funds for SPCA

Pet owners in the southwest were able to take advantage of a discount to microchip their animals on the weekend, during a fundraising event for the Swift Current SPCA. 

A barbecue and garage sale popped up at the shelter on Saturday and walk-in microchip appointments were just $30.  

Sara Barber, animal coordinator for the non-profit, was busy performing the quick procedures on site throughout the day. 

“Microchipping is a way to keep track of your animal should it go missing,” she explained. “It is not a GPS tracker, but should someone pick up [your pet], they can bring it down to the SPCA or any vet clinic and scan it, and then we know who owns it.” 

The chip is inserted under the pet’s skin and stores the owner’s contact information making it a great proactive measure to ensure missing animals can get back home.  

While most patients who came through were canines, there was a cat in attendance to be chipped as well. 

Volunteers from RBC in Gull Lake were running the hotdog station, and SPCA volunteers helped with several duties from operating a sparkle tattoo stand to grilling up fresh food. 

The fundraising manager with the shelter, Ashley Muhle, was grateful to everyone who attended, whether to lend a helping hand, to take advantage of a discounted microchip or to enjoy lunch.  

“We've had a really good turn out so far,” she said, just around noon. “Lots of dogs, lots of microchips gone into pets. We have some really amazing volunteers here. The staff from the SPCA have been here helping out. We appreciate everybody that came down to help us out today and help support the shelter.”

Adoptable puppies were enjoying some pool and playtime outside during the event, and several attendees popped inside to see the cats and kittens. One kitten even found her furever home. 

Microchipping is not exclusive to the fundraiser, however -- anyone can call the Swift Current SPCA to book a microchip appointment for $40 and take that precautionary step in keeping their pet safe.