Here is how the project went:
I chose to do a microchipping event to microchip dogs for free. According to the American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA), lost dogs with microchips are returned to their owners at a rate of 52.2%, compared with just 21.9% for those without. I never want a dog to get lost and never find their way back to their families and land up in shelters, therefore the project is very close to my heart. l was able to microchip 68 dogs for free, which usually takes about $50 for a dog at a vet clinic in our area. I completed the project in 2 events: The first event was on June 7th at Everett Animal Shelter. We were able to microchip 8 dogs from low income families. Thanks to shelter staff, we were able to put this event into action, we chose a date, made a poster, choose a good location, got volunteers to join, and made promotions. I also took the opportunity to involve other kids by promoting the event in my school and outside, and we had 2 kids join me at the event and volunteer. We had a lower turnout than expected (8 dogs microchipped), so I had the opportunity to partner with another organization. It was still a great learning experience and helped me understand the effort and outreach required to run a microchipping event. It also gave me the chance to reflect on what could be done differently to bring in a larger crowd, such as increasing the promotion timeline and choosing a location with more foot traffic. The second event was on June 20th at Bothell Pet Fair in partnership with Rainier Animal Fund. It is an organization which works to ensure veterinary care is accessible to everyone in the west Washington area. We were able to microchip 60 dogs. The fair had a great turnout, and it was amazing to see so many families benefit from a free service that keeps pets safe. It was incredibly rewarding to see the project make a real impact.
Through this project I/we learned:
I learned to not give up, even when things were hard, and I couldn't find a location and somewhere that I could do a microchipping event. I also learned about collaboration and finding the right people, because this was my first time working with microchipping.
What I/we might change:
We might want to think about what could be done differently to bring in a larger crowd, such as increasing the promotion timeline and choosing a location with more foot traffic.
My/our favorite part of this project was:
My favorite part of this project was when I was able to see the impact made on 68 dogs, knowing that they will be safe even if they get lost, and I hope they never do.
Some tips, tricks or fun facts about the project:
A fun fact is that according to the American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA), lost dogs with microchips are returned to their owners at a rate of 52.2%, compared with just 21.9% for those without. If you are interested in this work, now you know a way to bring these numbers down.
