We have written before about the importance of a cat or dog microchip, but because last month was National Lost Pet Prevention Month, we felt it bore repeating. At Longwood Vet Center, we offer microchipping services for around $80, which covers the one-time fee of registering your pet into the database, the procedure of implanting the chip, and of course, the cat or dog microchip itself.
Why is a dog or cat microchip important?
A microchip isn’t a GPS; if your pet goes missing, you aren’t able to track down their exact location, but it is an unbreakable ID tag of sorts. If your furry friend wanders a bit too far, your contact information on their collar is only as safe as the material on their collar. However, with a dog or cat microchip, your information is safely secured within your pet. An animal shelter or vet’s office will be able to scan your cat or dog to find your information, regardless of the state of their collar.
What is the likelihood of a pet being returned because of their microchip?
In the July 2009 Journal of the American Veterinary Medical Association, Linda Lord, DVM, Ph.D. from the Ohio State University College of Veterinary Medicine found that dogs with microchips were 2.5 times more likely to be returned home than those without and that cats with microchips were 20 times more likely to be returned home than cats without.
“The high rate for return of microchipped dogs and cats to their owners supported microchipping as a valuable permanent pet identification modality.” – Linda Lord DVM, PhD
How does a dog or cat microchip work?
It is similar to a tiny computer chip that can be coded with a unique identification number that is then used to contact you when your lost pet is found. The microchip is smaller than a grain of rice and is implanted under your pet’s skin with a needle and syringe. Once it’s inserted, a radio signal from a scanner (like the one in the photo above) reads the encoded chip’s identification number. Once the vet or adoption agency has the microchip identification, they will be able to contact you!
The price of a microchip is so small, and the cost of not getting one could be so high.
We hope your pet never gets lost, but should it ever happen, we assure you that you will be glad you invested in a microchip. Be sure to keep your contact information on the microchip up to date (something we are happy to assist with), and also consider providing multiple numbers just in case you aren’t able to be reached. With a dog or cat microchip, a little thing can go a long way. Contact us today to schedule an appointment for your furry friend to get theirs!
