Posts Tagged: Lost Pets

Microchips are becoming more and more common. You may have been asked by your veterinary team about microchipping your cat or dog last time you visited. But you might be asking – why? There are a number of reasons to get your pets microchipped. Keep reading to learn more!

Microchips Help Lost Pets get Home

Accidents happen. In this case, we are referring to a cat who slips past you to get outside, or a dog who who gets off their leash. You might see your pet disappear down the road. Even if you begin looking for them immediately, you may not find them. They may even be found by someone else before you.

This is where a microchip comes in! If your pet is microchipped, then they can be checked by an animal shelter or veterinarian and identified. Microchips hold your contact information, and some providers even send out lost pet notifications on your behalf. Microchips make it more likely to have your lost pet come home. In fact, the American Veterinary Medical Association references a study of over 7,700 shelter pets, which found that microchips make you more likely to be reunited with your pet! Dogs with microchips were returned to their owners at double the rate of dogs without microchips. For cats, the return rate was even more dramatic with microchips, at over nineteen times more likely to be returned to owners if they had one.

Do Microchips Harm Pets?

Microchips are able to be placed during a routine visit with your veterinarian. They are placed using a hypodermic needle, and don’t hurt any more than normal vaccines and injected medications for your pet. If your pet is already going under anesthesia, such as for neutering or spaying, the microchip can be placed at that time as well.

What about your privacy?

Don’t worry. While microchips store your contact information, it is only used in the event that your pet is lost and someone scans it to then contact you. Some manufacturers offer additional communication, such as newsletters or lost pet alerts, but you can typically opt out of these. Overall, the only information found in the microchip database is the information you choose to provide. It is important to make sure you register the microchip so it will have correct information to reach out and contact you.

Do Microchips replace ID and Rabies tags?

The simple answer is: No! While microchips are great as a permanent method to identify your pet and provide your contact information, nothing can fully replace a collar with tags on it. Tags on a collar are usually the quickest way to identify a pet and return it to it’s owner. Additionally, the rabies tag should always be displayed on your pets collar. It allows people to confirm your pet is vaccinated against the dangerous illness. Plus, the rabies tag numbers can be another way to trace your pets identity and return them to you.

For additional information on what to do in the event of a lost pet, you can check out our blog covering lost pet resources.

Disclaimer: This written content is meant to be educational and is not medical advice. Always consult a veterinarian about medical advice for your pet.