North Florida Horse Rescue to Sponsor Microchip Clinic in
Jacksonville, FL on Jan. 14, 2006

Local equestrian organizations to host equine chip and database program at
Jacksonville Equestrian Center

Jacksonville , FL - North Florida Horse Rescue, AVID Equine and HORSEtrac, Northeast Florida Dressage Association, First Coast Hunter Jumper Association, Horsesinthesouth.com and Ravenwood Farm will sponsor an all-day microchip clinic targeted to horse owners throughout northeast Florida and southeast Georgia .

The clinic will be held on Sat., Jan. 14 from 9 a.m. – 5 p.m. at Jacksonville Equestrian Center , 13611 C Normandy Blvd. Cost is $20 per horse for admission, microchip and database entry. Stall rentals are available for $25 which includes shavings. Horses may be schooled at Jacksonville Equestrian Center indoor and outdoor arenas for $20. The general public is invited to attend at no charge. For more information and reservations by Jan. 7, call Chris Dunn, President, North Florida Horse Rescue at 904.626.1990 or 352.478.2412.

Horses will be microchipped by local veterinarians including Dr. Dawn McLane. The local vets will work with Dr. John Wade of AVID Equine and HORSEtrac. According to Dr. Wade, AVID stands for American Veterinary Identification Device. “AVID pioneered the development of Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) for animals. While HORSEtrac, founded by AVID in the late 80's, is the recovery network that utilizes the electronic microchip to help in disasters, theft and to reunite horses with their owners,” he said. AVID Equine and HORSEtrac, along with the original PETtrac global network, established AVID as a worldwide leader in efficient databased animal recovery.

“We encourage all horse owners to have their horses microchipped. This precaution will help to identify any horse that may become displaced during storms and hurricanes,” said Dunn. “The AVID micro chip can be read by most scanners worldwide. Plus, it can’t be erased and is guaranteed for life,” she said.

“ When the chip is scanned by law enforcement officials, disaster workers or veterinarians, a phone call goes into HORSEtrac, the 24 hour disaster and recovery network for horses. The registered owner information is immediately available, However, it is not a GPS tracking device,” said Dunn.

For more information, contact Dunn at 904.626.1990 or 352.478.2412 or visit www.NorthFloridaHorseRescue.com or www.HorsesintheSouth.com

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North Florida Horse Rescue (NFHR) is a non-profit and animal disaster response organization that will provide evacuation assistance if animals are threatened by any hurricane, fire or flooding. NFHR educates all members and volunteers with the information of preparation and procedures before, during and after a disaster. Emergency rescue classes will be available and taught by team leaders from Hurricane Katrina rescue teams in order to be prepared before the next hurricane season. NFHR will provide disaster planning and rescue information and assistance through its members and volunteers to anyone and all of their animals. NFHR will strive to not leave any animal behind unless it is in a secure and safe environment. NFHR encourages and recommends proper identification on all animals such as microchipping, tattoos, and will provide assistance with other information of identification

Contact:

Chris Dunn, North Florida Horse Rescue
904.626.1990 or 352.478.2412
nfhr@horsesinthesouth.com