The Animal Welfare Society of Jefferson County will host a low cost microchip clinic on Feb. 20 from 11 a.m.-1 p.m. at Southern States, 222 North Mildred Street in Ranson. The cost of the service is $20 per pet.

Microchips are very effective in locating the owner of lost pets. The microchip is painlessly inserted into the skin of the neck of the pet and can be scanned at most animal shelters and veterinarian offices to acquire owner information.

The SMART TAG has a lifetime membership with no annual fees for updates. The only responsibility of the owner is to keep phone numbers and addresses up to date. For faster registration, go the AWS web site at www.awsjc.org, fill out the registration form and print two copies per pet. Bring those copies to the clinic.

AWS Animal care coordinator, Andrea Carroll will be inserting the chip with AWS volunteers helping with registration. All pets must be current on vaccinations with dogs on leashes and cats in carriers. There will be an enclosed area for safe cat microchipping.

For more information on the clinic, AWS events or pets that are available for adoption, visit www.awsjc.org or call 304-725-0589, visit the shelter on Leetown Pike near the Jefferson County Fairgrounds or go to AWS Facebook. The society has been helping homeless animals in the county since 1952.