Why Should I Microchip My Pet?

If you have pets, you want them to be safe. Conscientious pet owners protect their pets using ID tags and collars in case their pets get lost. While these measures help locate lost pets, using ID tags and collars is not foolproof as they can fall off or break with ease. Thanks to innovation, pets now can have microchip protection.

Animal rescue organizations, breeders, and veterinarians highly recommend pet microchipping. Statistics show that one in three pets gets lost at some point in their lives. Losing a pet is a tragic and traumatic event, making it more than enough reason to have your pet microchipped. 

Why is it important for you to consider microchipping?

What Is a Microchip and How Does It Work?

Microchips are rice-sized implantable computer chips placed under the skin of a pet using a syringe or needle. These chips act as radio-frequency identification transponders that carry unique identification numbers. A scanner activates the chips, so an individual needs no power or battery to read it. The process of implanting these chips is fast and painless, and it is only as invasive as vaccination.

The microchip’s number is scanned and recorded on a microchip database. The chip contains all the information about the microchipped pet, including medical history and the name and contact information of the owner. A microchip is not useful until the time the owner registers with a national pet recovery database. 

This makes it easy to identify your pet in case they lose their way or someone steals them. Chips do not act as a GPS tracking device. This means you cannot track your pet if they get lost. However, a chip can help you identify your pet or act as proof of ownership in case of a mistaken identity issue.

How to Microchip Your Pet

You can microchip your pet during a routine veterinary office visit. The chip implanting procedure is safe and painless. Thus, your pet does not need to be under a general anesthetic. Once the microchip is inside the pet, input your accurate contact details. It is important to keep updating the chip in case you move or if you have any additional information that you want to appear on the database. 

You do not have to worry that the chip’s data can fall into the wrong hands. You choose the information that you want to be on the database. Also, microchips are secure, and only the owner receives a call when someone finds the pet. 

Protective measures are in place to prevent random people from accessing your identification. If your pet gets a new owner, be sure to update the contact details on the database. If you adopt a pet from a shelter, find out if they have a microchip. If so, update the chip with your details.

Bottomline

Canine friends with microchips are 20 more times more likely to get to their owners if they lose their way or if someone steals them. Microchipping your pet can also be of benefit to you. In case you get severely injured while with your pet and you have no form of identification on you, a hospital can scan the microchip to get your contact information. So, microchipping your pet is just as important as having it for yourself.

To know more about microchipping your pet, visit Santa Monica Pet Medical Center at our office in Santa Monica, California. You can also call (310) 393-8218 to schedule an appointment today.