Pet Tip of the Week

Imagine the panic of losing your pet only to find out he has slid out of his collar or slipped out of the house without his collar and tags on.

The reality is that most searches for a lost pet with no identification are all to often met with no success. Luckily the numbers of pets finding their way back home is steadily increasing thanks to microchips.

Microchips are a permanent and reliable form of identification. They are not much bigger that a grain of rice and are implanted just under the skin between the pets shoulders. Unlike ID tags which can get ruined or fall off, microchips remain functioning and in place for the length of your pet’s life. Also, unlike a tattoo or other permanent marking, the information contained in microchips can be read and understood by virtually any veterinary clinic or animal shelter.  

Each microchip has a unique identification number associated with it. The day you get your pet microchipped, you will submit your personal contact information to the microchip company and they will link it to your pet’s microchip number. It is your responsibility to update the microchip company should you move or change phone numbers, but otherwise there is no upkeep on the microchip.  

Microchips are reasonably priced and simple to place. When workers at the local animal shelter or veterinary clinic are presented with a lost animal, the first step they take is to scan the animal for a microchip. With this number, it is simple for microchip companies to locate your information, which they will provide to the clinic or shelter where your animal is located.  After that, your pet’s safe return is only a phone call away.