» POSTED BY Committee Member

The Importance of Microchipping

Whether it is an open door, a broken leash, a loose window screen or a stolen pet, microchipping could help get your pet home faster and safer. Here are some quick facts:

• Over 10 million pets get lost every year.

 

• Over 4 million dogs and cats are euthanized every year, including lost pets never found or claimed by their owner.

 

• Only 20% of lost dogs and 2% of lost cats ever find their way back home.

 

• Only 10% of Pets in the US are microchipped and of those, only 58% were registered.

 

• 75% of owners of strays were found when the pet was microchipped.

 

When choosing a microchip service, here are a few items to consider: 

• Find out if there is a fee to register your pet once microchipped or a fee to update your personal information if you move or change your phone number.

 

• Is the microchip a universal frequency?  There is a standard (ISO 11784–International Organization for Standards) recognized by 140 countries that use 134 kHz frequency.  Some microchip companies still operate using 125 or 128 kHz, rendering microchips virtually useless unless you have the specific type of scanner needed to read it.

 

• Does the company send annual reminders to update your personal information?

 

Microchipping doesn’t replace the need for tags or collars on your pets.  Often times when your pet is found by a stranger, they look for your information on tags and may not realize your pet is microchipped.  It is when your pet finds its way to a shelter or veterinarian that the microchip can really be most helpful, but only if you register your microchip.  Remember: a microchip is only as good as the information provided with the registration.  All veterinary offices, shelters and rescue organizations that have a microchip scanner should be willing to scan a found dog or cat for you at no charge, to aid in the return of the pet to its owner.  Won’t you please consider microchip placement for your pet?