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).
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| A microchip can save you from having to post a lost pet notice. |
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.
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| The universal scanner easily reads the number on the microchip which is implanted under the skin between the shoulders. That number leads to your contact information. |
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.
The
microchip is also used on horses, birds, fish, reptiles, any living
creature. If you travel with horses, be sure they are chipped.
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.
With questions or comments, contact Christy Powers at cpwrather@earthlink.net.
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