A family pet is lost every two seconds. Over ten million pets become lost each year. One out of every three pets is lost during its lifetime and only one in ten lost pets is found. (National Humane Society and the National Council of Pet Population Study and Policy).

 

Avoid ever needing to post a sign like this

The lack of identification is the number one killer of animals in animal shelters. More pets die each year due to lack of identification than from all infectious diseases combined. Incredible!

While on the road, a missing pet can spoil a trip in a hurry. License, rabies tags and identification tags are great but they do get lost. What else can we do to protect our pets? A microchip is never lost.

The microchip is a form of identification that is permanent. The pet always has it with him. The microchip is a sterile transponder than contains a unique ID code capable of being read by a scanner. The size of a grain of rice, the microchip is injected under the skin, by a veterinarian, using a hypodermic needle. The process is relatively painless and no anesthesia is needed. Once implanted, the microchip is a form of identification that goes where your pet goes. A microchip that is properly inserted will remain in place for the life of the pet. For dogs and cats, the chip is inserted between the shoulder blades. Once inserted, it cannot be seen or felt.

There are two main microchip companies in the United States: The AVID FriendChip and the HomeAgain Microchip Identification System. These two companies have together developed a universal scanner which will recognize both chips. All animal shelters should have these scanners as they are provided free to shelters requesting them. Animal control officers have access to them and every veterinarian clinic should have a scanner.

When your pet is microchipped, you are given a tag for the collar informing anyone finding him that he has a microchip. The tag also has his specific ID number and the 800 number to call to get the information about this particular pet.

The value of the microchip is in the tracking system that backs it up. Both of these companies have a toll free hotline manned by recovery specialists who work 24/7 answering calls and updating the database. The microchip is the link between your pet and the computerized data base. When your pet is found, the 800 number is called, your information is found and you are contacted. Eight hundred to 1,000 calls a day are received through the data base centers of both AVID and HomeAgain.

It is the pet owner's responsibility to provide updated information to the data base. If you move or are on the road, you must provide current contact numbers, including your cell phone. Also provide an alternate contact in case you are unreachable. A friend or relative who knows how to reach you is best.  

Humane societies, animal shelters and veterinarians are supposed to scan each pet that is turned in to check for the microchip. Ideally, all shelters will scan a pet when it is brought into the shelter and again before it is euthanized.

Incidentally, Europe uses a chip that is not compatible with scanners in the US but some of these have been sold in this country. Do your homework. Make sure that the microchip you use can be read by the universal scanner.

A microchip can save the life of your pet. You will certainly have peace of mind knowing that you have done everything you can to properly and permanently identify your pet. Contact your veterinarian for more information or check the websites of these companies: www.Avidmicrochip.com (800 336-2843) or www.HomeAgainID.com.

Does your pet have a microchip? Answer our five-second survey.