Your pet is an important member of your family. Because of this, it’s only natural that your would want to do what it takes to make sure that he or she is safe and has a way to get home, should he or she ever stray.

A collar with tags is one way to let someone know where your pet lives. However, pets aren’t always wearing tags when they get out, or they may fall off while your pet is one the loose, leaving your four-legged friend with no identification when it’s need it the most.

A microchip, however, is not going to get lost in the weeds, or pulled off by another animal in a fight, making it the single best failsafe your pet can have when it comes to being identified and having the means to make it home.

What is a Microchip?

A microchip is a tiny electronic chip (it actually looks like a grain of rice) that is inserted under your pet’s skin between the shoulder blades. Once in place, it will not fall out. If your pet is found, the chip can be detected and read by a veterinarian or animal shelter.

A microchip can provide information about the animal, including:

When a microchipped pet is found and brought in for care or shelter (or just to have the chip read) the vet or animal shelter can read the chip and then contact you to come pick up your pet up and take him or her home.

Keeping Your Pet Secure

If there is ever a time when your pet is missing and you think you have found him or her, but someone is challenging you on that, it is simple enough to have the microchip read to prove ownership. It is not pleasant to think about, but there are people who steal pets for a variety of reasons.

Since your pet cannot speak up or let the authorities know who you are, the microchip is legal proof of ownership.

Used By Shelters

Sometimes, a cat or dog will get out of the house and get picked up by animal control. When there is a microchip in place, there is no doubt about who to contact. Your pet will not sit in the pound, or be put up for adoption. This will save your pet and your family a lot of stress and fear.

Accidental Injury

A microchipped animal that is hurt in an accident can be treated much faster than one without a microchip, simply because the owner can be found quickly. You would not want your dog to be sitting in pain, waiting for help, because no one knows to call you. You can give permission for treatment over the phone in an emergency, and get to your pet immediately when there is a way for the clinic to contact you.

A dog or cat can get out of the yard and be miles away before you ever notice he or she is missing. There could be any number of accidents that keeps your furry family member from getting home. The next time you go to the vet’s for a checkup, ask about having a microchip inserted.

Microchipping is an act of love. Be sure to have the information updated if you move or get a new phone number. You can also have any medical information about the animal on the chip, so he can be given the proper medication, if necessary. Contact us today if your pet is not microchipped, or if you need information about how to update your pet’s current information.

And don’t forget, if you find a lost pet, bring the animal in to see if he or she is chipped!