The Importance of Microchipping Your Pet

It’s something that we hope never happens to our pet – they accidentally get out of our house or yard, and they go missing. Have you increased the likelihood of being reunited with your pet? According to EIDAP1, a popular microchip company, pets are 20 times more likely to be reunited with their family if they have a microchip.

A microchip can be an extra source of identification for your pet. Often, indoor cats don’t wear collars with identification, and our dog’s tags can fall off. Tattoos are no longer a reliable source for identification, as there is no database to track tattoos to a particular pet or owner. They may also become illegible over time. A microchip can be placed while your pet is awake. It is placed under the skin between the shoulder blades.

Microchips are commonly mistaken for GPS tracking devices. They are actually a small chip the size of one grain of rice that transmits a unique number when scanned. A pet with a microchip will still need to be brought in to a local veterinary clinic or shelter to be scanned, as a microchip does not emit your personal information. Once a lost pet’s microchip has been scanned, the finder can call the microchip company to report the lost pet. The microchip company will contact you to let you know that your pet has been found.

It is vital to keep your contact information up to date. It’s important to call the microchip company as soon as possible if there is a change in address, phone number or email.

People often forget that our pets may look different after they have been lost for long periods of time. They may have lost a significant amount of weight, their hair coat may have changed to provide protection from the outdoor elements, and they may even have a change in their personality. A microchip number will help guarantee that a found pet is the correct pet.

If you have any questions regarding microchipping or wish to make an appointment for your pet, give us a call at 613-544-7387.

Written by: Lily Mccallum, RVT