On 2 February this year, Rogliano held a special one-day event with an initiative offering micro-chipping for dogs free of charge. The project was spearheaded by Save the Dogs in partnership with the Amici Animali FEF association and the municipality of Rogliano. It attracted significant participation by members of the local community and was also covered by RAI TV, who produced a television report highlighting the value of this combined effort.

The program adopted a door-to-door approach, with association president Nuvola Naccarato and a veterinarian staff member going from house to house to visit local residents who had signed up for the event. This method allowed greater accessibility to the micro-chipping service, particularly for those unable to visit a designated clinic.

Read more about the project

The RAI crew documented every moment of the day, following the various phases of the project, from home visits to appointments with pet owners. Local councilor Maria Salvino praised the initiative, commenting that: “This service is crucial for our community. Micro–chipping plays a critical role in protecting animals and tackling the issue of abandonment. The response by the local residents has been extraordinary and encourages us to continue following this direction.”

Many pet owners expressed positive feedback for the program, confessing that they often postponed micro-chipping their animals due to a lack of time, information or resources. One young dog owner, who has four dogs including a pit bull, added: “Thanks to this initiative, I’ve been able to micro–chip all of my pets without incurring any expensive costs.” Another young person admitted: “I’d been wanting to register my Maremma shepherd dog for some time, but because of his tricky temperament, I didn’t feel I could take him to a veterinary clinic. This event has made it possible without my having to get him there and back myself.”

The RAI report not only highlighted the technical micro-chipping process, but also emphasized the collaborative atmosphere and sense of cooperation that characterized the event. The door-to-door visits, conversations among residents, and the hard work of all the volunteers clearly demonstrated that Rogliano is a community deeply committed to the well-being of its animals.

Save the Dogs is immensely proud of the event’s success and the increased visibility resulting from RAI’s coverage. The hope is that this model can be replicated in other areas, involving even more people and local authorities. Raising awareness about micro-chipping, pet registration, and sterilization is essential in combating the issues of abandonment and stray animals, and fostering responsible pet ownership.

The day ended on a very high note: a large number of dogs were micro-chipped, the owners were all satisfied, and we are confident that the widespread media coverage will help us spread the message of responsible pet care in the community even further, with a continued sense of commitment and collaboration that will benefit all parties.