Each year in the United States, more than 6 million pets become lost or missing and end up in shelters. An astounding percentage of the pets that go missing are never reunited with their owner.
Most pet owners assume that they’ll never have such an occurrence or that their pets will never wander away, but accidents happen all the time. One gate left open or a quick few minutes an owner looks at their phone while their pet is playing can result in a missing pet emergency.
Microchipping pets is a good solution to avoiding a permanently lost pet. This is why the team at Clairmont Animal Hospital is here to tell you more about this important chip and how they work.
The Pet Microchip
A microchip may sound highly technical, but it is actually a simple device. It is a tiny electronic device, about the size of a grain of rice, that is inert on its own, but the frequencies can be picked up by a microchip reader. The reader activates a form of radio frequency that scans an identification number that is specific to each pet.
Unlike GPS, microchips cannot be used to trace or track an animal. It is only used for the sheer purpose of identification.
Microchipping Your Pet
In order for your pet to be microchipped, the veterinarian will use a syringe to insert the chip between the shoulderblades, near the nape of the neck. There is no need for anesthesia or pain medication, as the procedure is similar to that of a vaccine.
The Reasons for Microchipping Pets
There are many reasons why a pet can become separated from their owner, but the simple fact is that the unexpected can and does happen. The advantages to microchipping your pets include:
- You have a better chance of them being returned, if they are lost. This is one of the biggest motivators to the microchip. Consider the facts. Of those cats who become lost and who are not microchipped, a mere 2% were returned home, and only 22% of dogs were reunited. With microchipping, however, more than 38% of cats were returned and a substantial 52% of dogs. That’s a huge difference!
- If your pet is stolen, the microchip is an assurance of ownership. It may come as a shock to you, but more than 2 million animals are stolen each year. Certain pets, such as purebreds, are more desirable to a thief, but any pet is outside is at risk. If there is a dispute between owners or if you suspect that your pet is stolen, microchips can clear up this crime with actual proof of ownership.
- Collars and tags can fall off or be removed. Identification tags on your pet’s collar is an essential in keeping them safe, but they can still become lost. They are a great complement to accurate microchip information, as long as your pet’s tags are up to date.
More Information About Microchipping
We understand that no one wants to think about their pet becoming permanently lost. But since 1 in 3 pets will become lost at one point, it is crucial to do everything we can to ensure safety for our pet companions.
If you would like more information about microchipping, please phone us.