Animal clinic's event makes microchipping pet a little easier

A veterinarian in town is offering a way to ease the anxiety when a pet goes missing.

Loving Care Animal Clinic can place a microchip under a pet's skin with a number listed on a nationwide registry. If the animal gets lost and is picked up by police or a shelter, the chip is scanned and the pet's owner is contacted.

Twice a year the clinic conducts a special microchip event. The first one of 2008 runs from 10 a.m. to noon on Saturday at the clinic, 2633 Kirchoff Road.

"It's at a reduced cost so more people can afford to do it," says Sue Pfisterer, who's in charge of marketing.

The microchip, about the size of a grain of rice, is placed between the shoulder blades of the animal. The procedure is "like an injection with a little bit thicker needle," she says. Dogs and cats are the most common recipients, but an occasional ferret shows up.

The cost for the chip and the registry is $20. Call (847) 670-8488 to make an appointment.

Jobs report: When the third-largest employer in a city plans layoffs, the announcement is sure to get attention.

Countrywide Financial Corp.'s office in Rolling Meadows is scheduled to lay off 127 workers starting today.

I asked City Manager Tom Melena what kind of effect such an action has on the city.

"Rolling Meadows has a population of 25,000 at night, and that doubles to 50,000 to 60,000 during the day," he said. "We are a heavy importer of jobs."

With so many businesses in the area, "we're sure that other employers will pick them up fast," he added.

Countrywide, at 1600 Golf Road, has about 400 employees. Melena isn't sure how many live in the city.

"My guess is that maybe about 10 percent of the workers live in Rolling Meadows." It's a general figure that goes for all the businesses, he added.

Countrywide, the largest U.S. mortgage lender, has been downsizing nationwide for months. The state of Illinois is investigating its home loan unit over lending practices, the Illinois attorney general's office has reported. On Monday, Bank of America announced it would purchase Countrywide.

Special kids wanted: Preschoolers with developmental disabilities are getting a special invitation to sign up for "Mini Mustang Preschool."

The preschool is an extension of the child development classes at Rolling Meadows High School. It's run by teacher Linda Pribyl and staffed by students.

This semester, the students will be taking the advanced Early Childhood class. "It's specifically about working with children who have special needs," Pribyl says. "We study autism, cerebral palsy, and all types of learning disabilities."

The spring session starts Feb. 11. If you're interested in the program, which is open to all children 3 to 5 years old, call Pribyl at (847) 718-5640.