Pinal County Animal Care and Control is microchipping pets for free through Oct. 18.

There is no fee. The shelter asks for one of two things instead: a donation of candy, which it will hand out at its Pup or Treat event in October, or come in costume with your dog.

What a Microchip Does

A microchip is a small implant placed under the skin between the shoulder blades. It holds a number. If your pet is lost and someone brings it to a shelter or a vet, a scanner reads that number and it leads back to whoever registered it.

A microchip does not track location. It has no GPS and will not show you where your pet is.

Check Your Registration If Your Pet Is Already Chipped

A chip only works if the contact information attached to it is current. If you have moved, changed your phone number, or adopted a pet someone else had chipped, the number may lead to the wrong person or nobody at all.

Checking your registration is free. Look up the chip number with the registry it was filed under and confirm your phone and address.

How to Get One

Appointments are strongly encouraged. Email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. to schedule one.

All dogs must be on a leash. All cats must be in carriers.

Where to Go

Pinal County Animal Care and Control
1150 S. Eleven Mile Corner Road
Casa Grande, AZ 85194
520-509-3555

Open Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., and Saturday, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. The shelter is in Casa Grande, so plan for the drive from San Tan Valley.

The candy collected goes to Pup or Treat on Saturday, Oct. 17, which the shelter is holding with vendors, food trucks, a haunted house and games.

Free microchips run through Oct. 18. Email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. to book an appointment.