Can You Find Me?
Why should I microchip my pet?
The first time I heard about implanting microchips in pets I thought the world had gone crazy! I had visions of scanning my cat like a grocery item at the supermarket, how crazy was that? I have come around to understanding how this is a great practice.
The American Humane Association says that only 17% of lost dogs and a sad 2% of lost cats are ever reunited with their owners! Because of that, a staggering four million pet are euthanized yearly. That is an awful statistic that doesn’t have to be. Try as you might to keep an eye on your cat or dog, sometimes they get away. Someone leaves the door or gate open by mistake. You have workman at the house or apartment and so many things are going on at once that your pet gets out. The stories are many and the result is another lost pet.
Tags and collars are good but they can come off. The only way to make sure your dog or cat always has identification on them is by microchipping them. What is a microchip anyway?
1. A microchip is a tiny computer chip the size of a grain of rice.
2. It is inserted by a hypodermic needle by someone qualified to do so such as a veterinarian.
3. It’s placed between the shoulder blades, it can’t be seen or felt.
4. Your dog or cat does not have to be sedated to get their microchip. The needle only hurts as much as any shot would, which is not too much.
5. The Microchip lasts approximately 25 years and is guaranteed for the life of your pet.
6. The Microchip does not give out signals or have a power supply. It has to be read by a scanner.
How does the scanning work?
When someone takes a dog or cat to the shelter, the first thing they do is scan to check for a microchip. If a chip is in place a number is displayed and they then call a national registry to get the owners information. Any medical concerns can also be included in that information. Vets are also equipped with scanners and can help in locating the owner as well.
Some cities have put in place ordinances requiring microchips which is not surprising when you take in consideration the cost of lost and stray animals. LA County offers free Microchipping and National registration thanks to a pledge from the Found Animal Foundation.
By all means make sure your dog or cat has on a collar with tags which will get them back to you even faster. Having said that, there is nothing like the assurance and peace of mind you’ll have by getting your pet microchipped.
Your Best Friend Is Counting On You!
Visit us at www.whiskerfeathers.com
Photo by jaqian Released under Creative Commons
