One in three pets will become lost at some point in their lifetime. That means that literally millions of dogs and cats are lost or stolen in the United States every year.
WHY:
In shelters, the overall percentage of dogs that get reunited with their owners is a low 22%. Microchipping your pet increases those odds by 238%. For unchipped cats, the percentage that are reunited with their family from shelters is less than 2%. For chipped cats, that rate has a 2000% increase! These facts show that pet owners must microchip their animals for the best chance of being reunited in case their fur baby runs away or is snatched. Additionally, potential pet thieves often have their chip scanners too and will be deterred by the fact that your pet is microchipped.
HOW:
Microchipping your cat or dog is a permanent way to identify and locate your pet. It is also a quick, easy, and affordable solution. The microchip is about the size and shape of a grain of rice and is easily implanted under your pet's skin in a simple procedure similar to a vaccination. Microchipping can be done during your routine vet visit and does not require anesthesia. Having your veterinarian microchip your pet ensures that the chip is properly placed. Chips that are not properly inserted can be hard to scan and can present a potential health hazard to your fur baby.
Once the chip is inserted, make sure you keep your pet registered with up-to-date information in the database. If you move, or your phone number or email changes, it is important to remember to update your information in the pet microchip database where you are registered. A microchip with outdated information can be useless when scanned. Also, after microchipping your pet, have your veterinarian scan it at each annual physical going forward to ensure the chip is still in position and functioning properly.
WHEN:
Puppies can be microchipped at around 7-8 weeks. Microchipping is often done when they receive their first round of vaccinations. For kittens, waiting until they are 10-12 weeks is recommended. If you are adopting an adult dog or kitten, you should have them scanned for a microchip on their first vet visit and if they are not already microchipped, have it done right away.
NOTES:
Although microchipping is an important step to take in safeguarding your pet, it does not replace other forms of identification. All pets should still have a collar and tags with your current contact information and up-to-date proof of rabies vaccine. This will allow the average citizen who locates your lost fur baby to contact you before considering taking them to a shelter.
If you have any questions about this process or aren't sure if your pet is microchipped, please contact our office and schedule an appointment at
336-644-1522.