Microchipping Your Pet

One statistic that shows the importance of having your pets microchipped is that one out of three pets will go missing. However, according to the American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA), microchipped dogs are returned to their owner around 52% of the time, while dogs without a microchip are returned 22% of the time. That staggering statistic widens even further when looking at cats. Only about 2% of lost cats are reconnected with their owners if they aren’t microchipped. That number jumps up to nearly 39% for microchipped cats.

Microchipping your pet is a safe, simple and effective way to increase the likelihood of being reunited with your lost pet. Identification microchips are encoded with a number that is listed in an electronic database; this number contains all of your emergency contact information and can be updated at any time. About the size of a grain of rice, identification microchips are implanted beneath your pet’s skin, usually between the shoulder blades.

Microchips are designed to last your pet’s entire lifespan. Like your pet, your pet’s microchip ID code is one of a kind. Once enrolled, they will be linked to a permanent record of your information – which is important to keep up-to-date so you can be reached when your lost pet is found. Your microchip comes with a personal listing in the lost pet database, and this translates to anytime/anywhere pet recovery services.

Veterinary hospitals and animal shelters across the country and around the world are equipped with special scanners capable of reading these microchips. When your lost pet is taken to an animal shelter or veterinary clinic, a staff member will scan your pet for a microchip, read its unique code, and use the information in the chip to reunite you with your pet.

If your pet will be traveling around the world these microchips are Internationally recognized and can be read by any International Organization for Standardization (ISO) compliant scanner in the world.

*These microchips are not GPS microchips and cannot be remotely traced or tracked.

cat in field

4 tips to prevent lost pets

We know you love taking your pet on adventures. The only single drawback of having your pet join you is the possibility of them running away or getting loose. Sometimes being outside can bring a whole new set of emotions to your pet. The excitement of new smells and their curiosity can sometimes get the best of them. But not to worry, we gathered a few tips to ease any worry that you may have to help keep your pets safe.

PET IDENTIFICATION

Your pet should always have a tag attached to their collar that includes the pet’s name, your phone number, and proof of vaccinations. Not only does that information make it easier for someone to contact you, but it also allows them to call the pet by its name, which could help keep it calm, and be assured that your pet is safe to handle, as it’s been vaccinated.

An even better idea is to have your pet microchipped. This is a very simple procedure to ensure that your pet can be identified and you can easily be contacted. While both options are great, to maximize your ability to reconnect with your pet if lost, just do both!

CORRECTLY SIZED COLLARS AND LEASHES

Your pet’s collar and leash size will play a huge part in keeping your pets within your reigns, but it also directly ties into your pet’s identification. That said, it’s obvious that a collar left too loose will allow your pet to slip out. But how tight is too tight? The general rule to follow is that you should be able to fit two fingers between the collar and your pet’s neck. This leaves adequate room for comfort, but enough tension to keep the collar on. Lastly, some pet owners don’t consider the width of the collar, but it is important that bigger pets have wider, stronger collar and leash.

PROPER TRAINING

This one can be tough. It requires that you as the owner stay calm and direct your pet, and your pet to comply. With that in mind, if you plan to take your pet out and about with you, they should know a few commands and be able to react to them without regard to what may be going on around them. For example, if your pet has an instinct to follow a smell, a simple “come” command should override this impulse they have. This is much easier said than done, which is why proper training is crucial.

BE PREPARED

If the unthinkable, and horrid situation does arise, and your pet happens to get loose, you’ll need a plan. Many neighborhoods have message boards or Facebook groups. This is a great place to start. After all, the more eyes and awareness, the better chance you’ll have of finding your pet. Make sure you have pictures of your pet, that way people know exactly what to look for.