It's a record year at Animal Aid. New Years Eve 09 saw the lowest number of pets brought in to the pound due to fireworks and thunderstorms.

The forecast thunderstorms had Animal Aid staff braced in anticipation of a deluge of dogs pouring in through the pound gates, but they simply didn't arrive.

This year we only had 22 dogs in over the entire New Years Week end and only 14 of these were during the 24 hours of the 1^st of January, it's unprecedented.

What is important to note is that, of the 22 that did come in, all but Four were wearing some form of identification, such as registration, name tag and or a microchip. Making it easy to locate their owners and make arrangements for them to be collected.

We really want to congratulate the community and to thank the Shire of Yarra Ranges for helping us to provide such a proficient service. Their diligent Rangers worked hard to get identifiable dogs home before they brought them to us - it was definitely a team effort.

Historically we don't normally see a spike in the number of cats around New Years as they tend to go to ground until they feel that it is safe to surface. At which time they will either make their way back home or will turn up at the shelter some time later.

Animal Aid can't stress enough the importance of having ID on your pets, this New Years has been a testament to that. Provided that your details are correct and up to date, Microchips are the best way to ensure that your pet is returned to you safely. But if they are also wearing a current registration tag as well as a name tag, in many cases you can avoid the need for them to come to the pound.

If you would like to know more about getting your pets micro chipped please contact our Vet Clinic on 9739 0500.