Losing your pet can be extremely traumatizing, but if they are microchipped, you have a better chance of being reunited with your four-legged friend. Our Livermore Family Pet Hospital team is dedicated to keeping you and your pet together. We explain 10 reasons you should microchip your pet as soon as possible.
#1: Microchipping provides permanent pet identification
Microchips are implanted under your pet’s skin and provide permanent identification, because they cannot be removed or get lost like other identification methods, such as a collar and identification tags. If your pet gets lost and is taken to a veterinary office or animal shelter, their chip is scanned, your contact information is revealed, and a reunion with your pet is easily accomplished.
#2: Microchipping your pet increases your chances of a reunion
Microchipping your pet greatly increases their chances of being reunited with you. This was proven by a study of more than 7,700 pets in 23 states that demonstrated:
- Microchipped dogs were returned to their owners 52.2% of the time.
- Unmicrochipped dogs were reunited with their families 21.9% of the time.
- Microchipped cats were returned to their owners 38.5% of the time.
- Unmicrochipped cats were reunited with their families 1.8% of the time.
These drastic differences highlight the importance of microchipping your pet and keeping your contact information up to date in the microchip registry, so you can be reached if your pet’s microchip is scanned.
#3: Microchipping your pet relieves the burden on animal shelters
According to the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (ASPCA), approximately 6.3 million pets enter U.S. animal shelters every year. These facilities have limited room and resources to house and care for these pets, and large numbers of pets are euthanized every year. Microchipping your pet helps identify them so they can be returned home, making room to care for other pets.
#4: Microchipping your pet protects them from theft
If your pet is stolen, their microchip proves that they belong to you. Many pets look alike, making pictures unhelpful, and your pet can’t explain that they belong to you. Thieves can easily remove a collar and identification tags, but microchips are a permanent form of identification. Microchips aren’t tracking devices, but being able to prove your pet belongs to you because of their microchip will be important should the thieves contest your ownership.
#5: A microchip is necessary for pets to travel internationally
If you move or travel internationally, most countries, and some U.S. states, require that your pet be microchipped with an International Standards Organization (ISO) standard microchip. In addition, if you travel to a high-risk country for rabies, your pet must be microchipped to return to the United States.
#6: Microchipping your pet is easy
Microchipping your pet involves injecting a tiny microchip under the skin at the back of their neck. The procedure is quick, easy, and relatively pain free, and can be performed at your pet’s next wellness exam. Once your pet’s chip is in place, you must keep your contact information up to date in the microchip database.
#7: Microchipping your pet does not put your privacy at risk
The information you provide to the microchip company is used only for locating you if your pet’s chip is scanned. This information is protected and can’t be accessed by outside parties.
#8: Microchipping your pet is inexpensive
Microchipping your pet is inexpensive compared with your heartache should your pet go missing. The low fee that covers the microchip implantation, registration of the chip with the microchip company, and updating your contact information as necessary is priceless to help increase the likelihood of a reunion with your missing pet.=
#9: Microchipping your pet is safe
The British Small Animal Veterinary Association (BSAVA) keeps a database of pets’ adverse reactions to microchips. Since the database was started in 1996, more than 4 million pets have been microchipped, with only 391 adverse reactions reported. Microchip migration from the original implantation site was the most common adverse reaction. Other problems, such as microchip failure, hair loss, infection, injection site swelling, and tumor formation occurred in extremely low numbers.
#10: Microchipping your pet gives you peace of mind
You can’t keep your eyes on your pet constantly, and pets can be sneaky, but knowing they are microchipped gives you peace of mind that should your pet escape, you will likely be reunited.
Microchipping your much-loved four-legged friend is the best way to help ensure they are returned safely should they go missing. Contact our American Animal Hospital Association (AAHA)-accredited team at Livermore Family Pet Hospital to schedule an appointment to have your pet microchipped as soon as possible.