Many people fear that their pet might run away or become lost. Although pets usually wear a collar with tags that identify their owner’s name and phone number, collars can get lost as well. Microchipping your pets will make it easier for other people to find so you can have a happy reunion.
Why Do People Microchip Their Pets?
Microchipping your pets gives you the best chance of being reunited if your pets get lost. When a shelter or veterinary clinic takes in a lost pet, they can scan the microchip and contact the registry in order to get your name and phone number. The American Veterinary Medical Association found that microchipped dogs were returned to their owners 52.2% of the time and microchipped cats 38.5% percent of the time.
Microchips last for 25 years, which is longer than the typical lifespan of a dog or cat. This means that you will only ever have to microchip them once when they are little. Keeping the information up to date is critical in case your pet becomes lost. If you ever move or change your phone number, don’t forget to update your microchip registration.
Is Microchipping Your Pets Safe?
Microchips are implanted just under the skin, usually right between the shoulder blades. This procedure does not require anesthesia and the microchips are very small, about the size of a grain of rice. Each microchip contains a registration number and the phone number of the registry for the brand of chip that you choose.
The process of microchipping your pet is very quick and virtually painless. Rare risks include tumors at the site of the chip and other similar complications. However, these cases are extremely uncommon. If your pet is in pain after the microchip procedure, you should schedule a veterinary exam as soon as possible.
Schedule a Wellness Exam Today
At Anasazi Animal Clinic in Gilbert, we always treat your pets with loving care. If you have questions about microchipping your pets, please contact us. We are committed to your pet’s well being and safety above all else.
Photo by Berkay Gumustekin on Unsplash