May is “Chip Your Pet Month,” which is why we wanted to share with you a few reasons why here at Pawfect Pet & House Sitter, we recommend everyone’s fur babies get microchipped!
Did you know what around ⅓ of all pets will be lost at least once in their lifetime?! We never think it will happen to us, but once it does, a microchip could be what reunites you and your pet.
What Do I Need a Microchip For My Pet?
Speaking from experience, my dog is an escape artist with SERIOUS separation anxiety. When I lived in Utah, there were times when my friends or even doggie daycare places were watching him, and he escaped trying to find me. In those instances, animal-loving citizens brought him to the nearest vet clinic or rescue to see if he had a microchip. Luckily, when I adopted him from the pound, they required he be chipped. If he hadn’t been, I don’t know if I would have been able to find him again.
This isn’t the only time I’ve run into the saving grace of a microchip, either. Now, living in Glendale, AZ, I’ve come across a few dogs that were obviously not strays but were wandering around alone. All of the dogs I’ve found have been very friendly and good-natured, but none of them had tags or collars to identify them. So, after getting them into my car, I brought them to the vet, and within minutes, they had contacted their owners ONLY because the dogs had microchips.
In these scenarios, it is hard to know how things would have turned out if any of these beloved dogs were not microchipped.
What is a Microchip?
According to the American Kennel Club (AKC),
“A microchip carries a unique identification number and is roughly the size of a grain of rice. It is injected under the loose skin between the shoulder blades and is no more invasive than a vaccination.”
Since microchips are injected into your pet, they cannot fall off as a collar can.
Each microchip has an ID number and can be entered into the national recovery database. This database and the information you enter allow vet clinics and animal rescues to scan your pet and pull up identifying information.
Where Can I Bring My Pet to Get Microchipped?
In most cities, you will be able to bring your pet to a vet clinic or animal rescue to be microchipped. Not all clinics or rescues have these services, so you may need to check their website or call ahead and ask.
If you live in the Phoenix, AZ area, here are some of the locations that I know provide microchipping services:
- HALO Animal Rescue
- Vetco
- Arizona Animal Welfare League & SPCA (not providing monthly microchipping clinics during COVID-19)
- Banfield Pet Hospital
- Animal Care Hospital of Phoenix
This list of locations is not exhaustive. There are numerous other locations in Phoenix and the surrounding metropolitan area. If you have a vet, you regularly visit, call them, and ask if they provide microchipping services.
Most locations will charge you around $20 for the chip procedure and registration fee.
How and Where to Register or Update Your Pet’s Microchip
A microchip is only really a helpful tool if the contact information is up to date. If you get your microchip done at a vet clinic or shelter, they will likely help you through the registration process and provide detailed information about where to update your information.
If you adopt a pet that has already been chipped, you will need to update the microchip to add your contact information and remove the previous owners.
There are numerous microchip companies to choose from, and if you don’t know which company your dog’s current chip is registered under, you may need to enter the ID number in each database to find it, or you can use the Pet Microchip Lookup.
Most locations that provide microchip services work with a specific microchipping company. They should offer you with microchip registration information specific to that company during your appointment.
Whether your pet is microchipped or not, you need a safe and trusted place for them to stay when you’re away! Pawfect Pet & House Sitter professionals always have your fur baby’s best interest in mind. Find out more about our pet sitting services today!
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