We previously shared the story of Willow, a lost cat from Colorado that was found five years and 1800 miles later, thanks to the microchip implanted in her neck. The latest heart-warming tale comes from Northern California. Petunia, a dog that went missing in 2003 from its home in Virginia was found in Yuba County, CA, and will be returning home for the holidays eight years later. But far too many lost pets don’t get the same happy ending as Petunia and Willow.
More than half of the millions of lost pets that end up at shelters don’t have an ID tag or collar to help identify them or find their owners. The cost to handle the animals, and in many cases, to euthanize these lost pets, is nearly $1 billion a year. And then there’s the emotional cost to the families of worrying and wondering about the missing pets. The good news is that there is a way to help locate your lost pet: Microchipping.
Microchips are tiny transponders, about the size of a grain of rice, that use radio frequency waves (RFID) to transmit information about your pet. They’re implanted just under the skin—usually right between the shoulder blades—using a small syringe, much like a vaccination. It’s a simple, safe, and routine procedure.
Each chip has a unique 10-digit ID code that, once registered, becomes part of a national database. Microchips can be read by a universal scanning device; more than 12,000 shelters and veterinarians can read the code. A call to the database can determine the name, address, and medical history of the lost pet. And just like in the case of Willow and Petunia, one call can lead to that happy homecoming story.
Please consider microchipping. It’s a priceless gift for your family, and your pet. We’re offering $5.00 off microchipping until 12/31/11. Bring in a copy of this newsletter to receive your discount. Call to schedule an appointment today!
Tags: microchipping, pet care tips
