There are a number of reasons why microchipping dogs is a critical pet safety measure for dog parents. In fact, it's probably one of the smartest dog safety tips for dog owners, and cat owners too! June is National Microchipping Month for pet owners. It's a month in which to raise awareness of the importance of microchipping your pets, particularly dogs and cats.
Importance of Microchipping Pets
> A microchip permanently establishes you as the owner of your dog, and links you together for the life of your pet. Virtually all Veterinary offices and Animal shelters have microchip scanners that enable them to scan a dog or cat to see if a chip is present. In dogs and cats the microchip is usually placed, just beneath the skin, between the shoulder blades. Microchips are internationally recognized, so even if you travel abroad with your dog, their microchip can still be effective.
> Collars and tags are great, your dog should always wear them. However, collars can easily come off your pet. Collars can break off, a terrified dog can wriggle out of almost any collar or harness and run off. A well meaning citizen, or a not so well meaning citizen, can inadvertently remove a dog's collar - removing that means of identification and link to you. Unlike collars, a microchip is permanently attached to your dog. In the U.S. it is illegal for anyone other than an owner to remove a pet's microchip.
> Once a microchip is installed, there is no further maintenance required. It's a one and done simple procedure that links you and your dog together for the life of your dog.
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| Microchipping dogs & cats is critical for pet safety |
I can't overstate the importance of microchipping your dog or cat. As an 8 year animal shelter volunteer, I have seen the heartbreak of pet owners searching frantically for their lost dog or cat.
They walk, teary eyed, up and down the rows of shelter pets desperately seeking their beloved dog or cat. When they've searched every kennel, the anguish of not finding their pet is evident. I have seen this look far too many times and it breaks my heart.
I always asked them the critical question, already fearing the answer. Is your dog microchipped? No, they say, my dog isn't microchipped. I know then how drastically the odds of finding their pet plummets.
But I offer as much encouraging information and advice as I can. I tell them that the shelter nearest their location might not be the one their dog was taken to. A pet is usually taken to the shelter that has the most room for them at that moment. Sometimes they are brought to a shelter that is many miles away.
I tell them to post large, full color posters throughout the neighborhood and ask to post them on windows of nearby stores. I tell them to go online and post their lost pet. If they have security cameras, like Ring cameras, there may be community groups in their area they can post lost dog or cat messages on.
I offer whatever advice I can, knowing that if they had microchipped their dog or cat the odds of being reunited with their lost or stolen pet would be much, much higher.
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I'm excited to share the Pet Photo Necklaces and Keychains in my Etsy store! Just send in a photo of your pet and it will be transformed into a beautiful necklace or keychain with your pet's name and face engraved on the front. You can add a special engraved message to the back as well.
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| Personalized Pet Necklaces and Keychains created from your pet's photo! |
These pieces are a great celebration of your pet and the love you share. They're also a thoughtful pet memorial gift for someone who has lost a beloved pet.
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Even if a dog is stolen, one day a Veterinarian or authority just might scan the dog for a microchip. People who steal dogs often commit other crimes. The authorities and animal shelters know that. If dogs or cats are present at a criminal's home they are usually confiscated. Every animal that lands in an animal shelter is scanned for a microchip - it's one of the first things they do upon intake!
So please, if you have a dog or cat and haven't microchipped them, consider it now. Microchipping pets truly is a life saver.
Be well, keep your dogs, cats, and other pets safe!
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5 comments:
You are so right that microchipping is critical care for your pup. I remember when I adopted Henry, they told me he wasn't chipped. The next day I took him to the vet to get a check up. They did a scan to see if he was chipped or if he need that as well. Thankfully, he was chipped. They gave me the chip number and I was able to transfer everything to me. While it seemed overwhelming, it was surprisingly easy. Now, I have him listed on a few sites, just in case one site should close up shop he's still on others. Then I make sure I check the chip information 2 x yr (birthday and holidays). I've been surprised to see that I had forgotten to update some info. That really does help me. The last time Henry was into to see his vet a few months ago, I had him check a bump on his side. Apparently his chip has decided it needs a new location. Summer relocations. :D
Super article, Cathy and so very important! I'm sharing with all my pet parents.
Chipping is essential. Indoor or outdoor pets. All of my cats are chipped and I saved up so I could do it. One in three pets goes missing YIKES!! Chip your pets everyone!!!
Marjorie and Toulouse
DashKitten.com
I totally agree! I see many posts in our local Lost pets facebook group of several people claiming the same dog is theirs. With no microchip, it's hard to prove who's the real owner!
Microchipping is a must have for all pets and there should be a law stating so as it would save so many animals that get lost. Nili was not microchipped when she ran from her first home and I have lucked out, saving her and of course microchipping her she is no more a stray now. It is so simple to do and must be done.
Excellent info, Cathy. Microchipping pets is so important. It is always one of the first things I do when I've had my dogs and cats...it's so important. I've heard of wonderful success stories of dogs being returned to families who have them, and sad stories where dogs who are not chipped are never found. :-(. With dogs being able to travel or be taken great distances, you are so right that the local shelter is not the only place to look. It's so important for folks to remember to update that microchip info if anything changes and if a person moves. Too many times folks forget to update. I'm sharing this important article with my readers!
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