Micro-chipping for pets to ring in 2013

AUSTIN (KXAN) - Ringing in 2013 with a big bang could cause some pets to runaway.

That one of the reasons the Austin Animal Center is offering free micro-chipping before the new year.

Kevin Bennett's dog Meadchen has noise anxiety and that's why he got her micro-chipped before fireworks light up the sky on NYE.

"Hopefully I'll have her returned to me, if I got separated from her or lost," said Bennett.

The Animal Center told KXAN this time of year they're flooded with run away cast and dogs, scared off by loud noises.

According to Philip Goen, a senior animal protection officer, "We push for people to identify their pets, so they can get home. Our officers in the field all carry microchip scanners so they can check animals for tags, and their preference would be to return the animals to home, without ever getting to the shelter. And if they do come to the shelter- we want to make sure they get home, with the correct identifying information."

The free microchipping event runs until five o'clock Dec. 31 at the Austin Animal Center office, 7201 Levander Loop.