May Is Chip Your Pet Month: Everything You Need To Know About Pet Microchipping

It is National Chip Your Pet Month, a wonderful time to reunite pet owners with their lost pets! Statistics from the American Humane Association estimate that one in three pets go missing at some point in their lifetime. Along with that, nearly 10 million cats and dogs are stolen or lost in the United States each year. Out of these, only 22 percent get reunited with their owners, according to a study by the American Veterinary Medical Association.
 

However, that fraction moved up to 52 percent for pets that had microchips. That said, this is a great time to spread the word about pet microchipping. It is also a time to remind you to microchip your pet if you have not yet done it.


 

What Is Pet Microchipping?

Pet microchipping is the process of implanting a tiny device into the scruff of your pet’s neck. The chip gives your pet a special ID number that will help pet rescuers trace your pet back to you when your pet goes missing.


 

What Does the Procedure Involve?

The microchipping process is fast and pain-free. The veterinarian inserts the device in the skin around the crinkles of your pet's neck or between the shoulder blades. Because the procedure is painless, your pet will not need sedation. There are also no damaging effects or recovery time after the procedure. On top of that, microchipping is an affordable procedure.


 

What Are the Benefits of Microchipping?

If your furry friend forgets his or her way back to the house one day, their chances of returning to you move up significantly if he or she has a microchip. Granted, collars and fenced yards ensure your pet’s security, but collars can come out easily and you may not be able to stop your pet from following a scent.
 

That said, chipping your pet cannot guarantee his or her rescue and safe return, although it gives your pet extra safety. Besides, the chip will also help verify ownership of your furry companion if he or she ends up in the wrong hands.


 

Any Downsides?

The only shortcoming to the chip is that the device will not work unless the person who finds your lost furry friend has a microchip reader. Animal shelters and many animal control facilities and police stations have scanners and will read the device and call you.
 

However, an individual who is not familiar with microchips cannot identify your pet through the device. That is why your dog or cat should still put on collars with ID tags.


 

Should You Microchip Your Pet?

The choice to microchip your pet is up to you. For the majority of pet owners, pet microchipping is an affordable safety measure they can take to ensure their pet's well-being and safety.

To know more about pet microchipping, visit Dr. Mike’s Affordable Vet Care at our office in Arlington, Texas. You can also call (817) 663-8160 to book an appointment today.