We hope it never happens to you, but the reality is that pets and owners can become separated in only a moment. In the event that your pet becomes lost, the presence of a microchip is the single most important thing you can do to boost the odds of their safe return. But of course, this is a step that you must take before your pet disappears, for three important reasons:
Reason #1: Lost pets with microchips are more likely to be recovered. Even strictly indoor pets can sometimes escape to frolic in the great outdoors. And even dogs kept in fenced yards or on leashes sometimes end up running free in the neighborhood. In the event this happens to your pet, the person who finds them is likely to proceed to a veterinarian or shelter, where the animal will be scanned for a chip.
While only 2 percent of unchipped cats and 22 percent of unchipped dogs are recovered when lost, 38 percent of chipped cats and 52 percent of chipped dogs are returned to their owners. It’s not a guarantee, but a microchip does significantly increase the odds of finding your lost pet.
Reason #2: A microchip can solve ownership disputes. It’s hard to imagine someone doing something so despicable, but over two million pets are stolen each year. And of course, some cases of mistaken ownership are completely innocent. Either way, if this ever happens to you a microchip serves as solid proof of your ownership.
Reason #3: Microchips are fairly indestructible. A collar or tag can fall off, but microchips stay put where they are implanted. So no matter what adventures your pet experiences, you can feel confident that their identification remains intact.
Microchips are about the size of a grain of rice, and will transmit a unique code when scanned. We match this number to a database, in which your contact information is stored. So, if your pet turns up at a veterinary clinic or animal shelter anywhere in the country, those professionals will be able to contact you. It’s that easy!
Do remember that you must enter accurate information into the database, to be linked to your pet’s chip, and you must then update that information if you ever move or change your phone number.
Microchips are easy to implant with a syringe, and cause very little temporary discomfort. Add microchipping to your to-do list, and we can help you protect your pet at your next check-up.