Microchips play a significant role in the safety of your pet. Losing your furry friend can be a devastating thing. But through microchipping, you will not lose all hope. Statistics show that one in three pets get lost at some point, and yours could also contribute to the statistics. Studies also show that more than 10 million dogs and cats in the United States get stolen or lost annually.
Should you lose your pet, it is ideal that you have proper identification to increase your chances of getting them back.
Why Do Pets Get Lost?
Most pets run outside or escape their yard once a door opens. They mostly get lost during the holidays in social gatherings, places with loud music, or if surrounded by unfamiliar faces. Pets also get away during thunderstorms as they become frightened in such situations and try to run from the noise.
Pets also get lost in emergencies such as automobile accidents and house fires. If your pet has a microchip, they are more likely to get found.
What Is a Microchip?
A microchip is a piece of technology used for electronic identification. It has identification transponders encased in bioglass. They employ radio frequency and are no larger than a rice grain.
Microchips store numbers for identification. The numbers help pet owners reunite with their furry companions.
How Do Microchips Work?
Microchips are subcutaneously implanted, meaning they get implanted under the skin. The standard injection site is between your pet’s shoulder blades at the back of their neck.
Each microchip contains unique numbers that a microchip scanner can detect. A microchip database registry has recorded every number on each microchip there is. The database also has details about the owner and the pet.
The pet owner’s details should accompany the pet’s microchip number. If your pet gets lost, local councils, animal shelters, and vets will scan the microchip. They will then contact you using the contacts they will find on your database.
Ideally, keep the contact details on the database up to date. Do so if you change your phone number or move houses so that you will still get contacted if your pets stray or get lost. If a pet gets a new owner, their contact details should get updated on the database.
Lost Pets
Your pet can go missing for various reasons. You can never be too careful. When found, the person who finds them is likely to take them to a veterinary practice or any rescue home. A quick scan on their microchip will get you your pet back in a short while.
Accidents
If your pet gets involved in an accident, a rescuer can take them to a veterinary practice for treatment. The specialists can scan them quickly and access the database to help you reunite with your pet.
Stolen Pets
Unfortunately, some people steal pets to resell them. Your pet is not an exception. A microchip will help locate your pet so you can get it back.
For more about microchipping your pet, visit 4 Paws Veterinary Hospital at our office in Duffield, Virginia. Call (276) 431-4838 to book an appointment today.