Unfortunately, the likelihood of pets getting lost in their lifetime is actually quite high. An unlocked gate, cracked door, or just losing your grip on a leash can all create the perfect conditions for pets to bolt and then go missing. About 1 in 3 pets end up wandering from their homes every year, and only 1 out of 10 make it back. Microchipping your pet is the best way to protect beloved furry members of your family and help them find their way home if they get lost.
Microchipping is Easy and Painless
Forsaking fashion for peace of mind is worth keeping pets safe. Collars and tags often fall off and wear down over time, whereas microchips will last for about 25 years. Microchips are implanted below the skin on the back of your pet's neck, and the seriousness of the procedure is equal to a routine vaccination. Pet owners should get their pet(s) microchipped as soon as possible, and an excellent time to have the procedure done and ensure that microchips are still readable is during regular dental cleanings or when your pet is being spayed or neutered.
Your Personal Information Should Always be up to Date
If your pet becomes lost and ends up in a shelter or hospital, the first thing that will happen is that they'll be scanned for a microchip, and your information that was entered into a national database will be what officials use to contact you. Keep in mind that locating you will be much more difficult if your personal information is out of date. Checking to make sure that microchips are working and that your data is up to date should be done at least quarterly. If you plan on doing extensive traveling with your pet outside of the U.S., check your destination's local guidelines to see if they use a different microchip system and talk with your veterinarian about options for traveling abroad.
Microchips Have Evolved Pet Safety
Who knew that a similar version of the modern microchip that we currently use in laptops would impact the pet safety field. Permanent identification for pets has been a game-changer and saved many lives since it first became available in the late 1980s. Here in America, there are many discussions that are now taking place regarding making microchipping pets a requirement, and this could be the future of pet care. Of course, pet owners should still use collars and tags even if their pet(s) are microchipped, so that they can rest assured that pet friends will be found if they do go missing.
--
Abigail Baker is a writer from Happy Writers, Co. in partnership with Viking Fence fencing supply and repair.
Comentários