VCAS To Hold Another Free Animal Services Event

Daytona Beach, FL – Another free community event is scheduled by Volusia County Animal Services (VCAS) for Saturday, May 22. The drive-thru event will take place from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. at VCAS headquarters, 1250 Indian Lake Road, Daytona Beach. This is the first event to include free pet rabies vaccinations and the fifth since last June. In the past, the event has seen mainly dogs and cats and also some more unusual animals. On May 22, Animal Services is encouraging residents to also get their reptiles microchipped. It’s part of a new Florida Wildlife Commission initiative called Tag Your Reptile Day. The program aims to microchip non-invasive species such as tegu lizards and green iguanas for proper identification of pet and owner. About the size of a grain of rice, microchips are implanted just under the skin. With the wave of a hand-held wand over the pet’s back, the ID code on the microchip will lead to the owner’s name and contact information. Since this is a drive-thru event, you won’t have to get out of your car but you are encouraged to wear a face covering. Dogs, cats, and other animals should be leashed or in a crate. Staff will remove the pet from the vehicle for the desired service and then return the pet to its owner just a few minutes later. Animal Services microchipped more than 1,000 pets during the previous four events. “We’re delighted to be able to put these events on for our residents,” said Volusia County Animal Services Director Adam Leath. “While enforcing laws and ordinances pertaining to animals is an extremely important part of what we do at Animal Services, it’s not all that we do. We provide programs and services aimed at helping people and pets in our community. And that’s what these community events are all about.” To expedite service at the event, microchipping and vaccination forms can be printed and filled out before arrival. The microchip consent form can be downloaded here: https://bit.ly/3lELxbz. The rabies vaccination authorization and release form can be downloaded by clicking on the link below: http://volusia.solodev.net/core/fileparse.php/22/urlt/New-Vaccine-Authorization-and-Release.english-Pet.pdf