April 23rd is National Lost Dog Awareness Day. Despite our best attempts, sometimes our animals can get lost for one reason or another. Luckily there are many online sites and shelters to look for our lost companions, but sometimes that just may not be enough. Veterinary professionals can provide tattooing for identification, but in time tattoos fade. Fortunately, there is a product that provides permanent identification on a pet. This identification, called a microchip, greatly increases an animal’s chances of reuniting with their owners.
A microchip is a small piece of digital equipment that contains a unique number which traces to an owner’s full contact information. The actual chip, the size of a grain of rice, is commonly implanted under the pet’s skin in between the shoulder blades via a 20 gauge needle. Following implantation, the chip is registered with all of the owners contact information – including name, address, and telephone number. Microchipping is most commonly performed during routine spays and neuters under anesthetic, but with prior numbing agents, can be placed during regular office visits.
If a microchipped and registered pet has gone missing, most veterinary facilities, humane societies and shelters are equipped with a special scanning device that will detect if a pet is microchipped. In addition to aiding in the likelihood of reuniting pets with their owners, dogs that are microchipped are eligible for a lifetime license in the state of Pennsylvania, as long as documentation is provided when applying. This paperwork is available through your local county courthouse, various local businesses, as well as at our office.
To learn more about microchipping, and to set up an appointment, please contact our office today!
