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Shelter Medicine Program College of Veterinary Medicine
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Shelter medicine team, veterinary students, and HomeAgain unite for a Fear Free microchip clinic

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Microchipping is a powerful tool for reuniting lost pets with their families, keeping shelter stray intake down, and reducing euthanasia. Can it also be Fear Free for the pets?

Dr. Julie Levy and a vet student handle a cat in her carrier to reduce stress for the cat.
Dr. Julie Levy and a vet student handle a cat in her carrier to reduce stress for the cat.

Last month, the Maddie’s Shelter Medicine Program joined a team from HomeAgain to provide a free microchipping clinic to pets of faculty, staff, and students of the UF College of Veterinary Medicine. Our team, along with an army of DVM and pre-vet student volunteers provided microchip and registration services to nearly 100 pets. The event was sponsored by HomeAgain.

MSMP Team, HomeAgain Sponsors and Volunteers
The MSMP team with the sponsors from HomeAgain and volunteers

Student volunteers got a chance to learn about the amazing benefits of microchipping as well as Fear Free techniques for vet appointments, using gentle handling methods, treats and other distractions, and more to minimize the fear, anxiety, and stress experienced by many pets during veterinary procedures including michrochipping.

A vet student learns about microchip scanning on a toy dog at the HomeAgain merch table
A vet student learns about microchip scanning on a toy dog at the HomeAgain table.

The students also learned how to inject and scan for chips, using the ultimate Fear Free learning subjects: stuffed toys! Watch it below, and thanks to all who made this day such a success!