June is National Microchipping Month, and as we head into summer and the fourth of July, it’s more important than ever to make sure your pet has proper identification.
In our blog post from December 23rd, Nicole talks about the benefits of getting county dog tags in Ohio. Unlike your dog’s license, microchipping is not currently a legal requirement in most places in the US. But microchipping is still incredibly important.
But what are Microchips?
Microchips are a small electronic chip in a small glass cylinder. All together, the chip is about the size of a grain of rice. They’re implanted with a hypodermic needle and sit right between the shoulder blades. It doesn’t hurt more than a vaccination.
The main goal of microchips is to ensure that your pet can easily be reunited with you if they get lost! These chips are not tracking devices. They only hold your pet’s identification number and correspond to a database that can hold your name and contact information, like a phone number, email address, or home address. When a pet is found, they will first be scanned for microchips. If a chip is found and the contact information of the owner is updated and correct, then the pet can be sent on its way home! If the pet is not microchipped, finding the lost pet’s owner gets longer and more complicated, especially if the pet does not have tags or identification.
Are Microchips expensive?
Most microchips cost between $25 -$50 and are designed to last a lifetime. There’s no fee for upkeep of the chip either. However, you will want to make sure your contact information is correct. It’s recommended to update or check your information at least once per year. You can check a microchip’s information at a vet’s office or through the microchipping company, which will be found on the paperwork for your chip.
Do Microchips actually do anything?
Yes! Microchipping has proved to be successful in reuniting lost pets with their owners! Studies have shown that microchipped dogs were returned 52.2% of the time and microchipped cats were returned 38.5% of the time. And even if the pets are not returned, microchip database information makes for a starting point towards finding a lost pet’s owners. Around 3.5 million pets have already been microchipped around America, and as awareness grows, so do the numbers of pets to have been safely returned to their families.
However, it is VERY important to note that microchips do not replace licenses or tags on dogs. Both are highly recommended and tags and licenses ensure that you are complying with local laws while microchips act as an extra level of security towards your pet’s identification and safety.
Where can I get my pet Microchipped?
Most Veterinary offices offer microchipping services. These procedures can be done during a routine Vet appointment. During this month, many Veterinary offices will even offer discounted prices or free microchipping events, so now is the time!
So, this is your reminder to get your pet microchipped or to update your microchip information to celebrate National Microchipping Month!
Clara Brown, Guest Blogger