Microchipping for Your Dog's Safety

Microchipping for Your Dog's Safety

By: Laura Williams

Your pet escapes the yard and is found a few miles away by an animal control officer, who takes the pet back to the shelter and scans the pet in hopes of finding a microchip code. When a code is found and displayed on the scanner, the shelter employee is able to determine which database to contact for further information. Once the database is contacted, the microchip code is given.

At this point, there are two outcomes. If the owner did not register his name and telephone number with the database, the veterinary clinic that purchased the microchip is listed. Unfortunately, the pet must stay at the shelter until the veterinary clinic can be contacted, usually the next business day, in order to determine the name and telephone number of the owner.

The other potential outcome is based on owner's paying an additional fee and registering his name, address and telephone number, including alternates, with the database.

In this situation, the database is able to supply your telephone number to the shelter employee. The shelter can then contact you directly, resulting in reuniting you with your pet that night.

Recommendations

  • It is recommended that all pets are microchipped. Even those pets that do not venture outside may escape one day.

  • Register your pet!!! It is recommended that you pay the additional fee and have your name and telephone number listed with the microchip code.

  • It is recommended that you use an identifier on your pets collar indicating that he or she has a microchip and what kind.

  • An annual visit to the veterinarian specifically to test the microchip is recommended. Have your veterinarian scan your pet to determine if the chip is still transmitting data.

  • Annually confirm your pet's information with the microchip database and ensure that all contact information including your address, home and cell phone numbers, email address, and pager number, etc are all current. Ask your veterinarian or their staff where the chip is located in your pet. Most chips are injected over the back but they may migrate to the side.

  • Routinely feel the area in the location of the microchip for abnormalities. Report any masses or lumps to your vet immediately.

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