Whether you’ve newly adopted a puppy or you’ve had the same cat for 10 years, bonds with pets form quickly and deeply. If you were to somehow get separated from your furry friend, do you have safeguards in place to ensure that you can find your way back together? Microchipping your pet can help improve your chances of a happy reunion. Keep reading to find out how a microchip can become a lifeline in an unthinkable situation:
What Is a Microchip?
Before we delve into the importance of the microchip, we want to take a step back and explain its mechanics. A microchip is a tiny chip (no bigger than a grain of rice) that is implanted in the skin between the shoulder blades. It is painless for your pet and does not transmit a frequency, GPS location, or require any battery power. It simply serves as another form of identification that, when scanned, will give a veterinary office or a shelter your contact information so they can reunite you with your pet.
My Pet Has a Collar: Do They Need a Microchip?
While it is great (and important) for a pet to have a collar with their name and contact information, it is not a foolproof method of identification. Pets who get separated from their owners often lose these collars or tags. Without a backup form of ID, a good samaritan might find the animal but have no way of knowing where he belongs. Since a microchip is implanted internally, it will stay with your lost dog or cat no matter what she does while she’s on the loose.
How Can It Help
Experts estimate that about 1 out of every 3 pets will get separated from their owners in their lifetimes. This is a huge statistic that could have very unfortunate outcomes. Pets with microchips are about 20 times more likely to be reunited with their owners than pets without them. Microchips can provide peace of mind that you and your pet can continue to enjoy your lives together.
Where Can I Get My Pet Microchipped?
At Oroville Animal Health Center, we can easily implant a microchip during a routine wellness exam. Although we recommend doing it during the puppy and kitten years, we are happy to do it at any time. Once the chip is implanted, you have to register it with your contact information in order to ensure it is effective.
With a wide range of veterinary services, we are proud to serve the pets and pet parents of Oroville with top-tier care. To learn more about our services or to schedule an appointment, please call (530) 533-7513 or fill out this form.