Microchipping is a Must: 9 Facts About Lost Pets You Can’t Ignore

August 15th is National Check the Chip Day! If your pet has a microchip, pat yourself on the back, but continue reading for important information below. When a pet goes missing, it can turn your world upside down. That’s why it’s important to have your pets microchipped and keep their chip up-to-date with your current contact information.

If your pet isn’t microchipped, here are 9 facts that will encourage you to make an appointment:

1.   Every two seconds a family pet becomes lost.
2.   10 million dogs and cats become lost or stolen each year in the U.S.
3.   One out of every three pets will become lost at some point in their lives.
4.   Only 2% of cats that get lost are reunited with their families.
5.   Only 15-20% of dogs that go missing are returned to their homes.
6.   Only 33% of pets with ID tags wear them all of the time.[1]
7.   Only 49% of dog parents find their lost dogs in the neighborhood (15% of those are found because of their microchips).
8.   30% of cats are found within their neighborhoods.
9.   Only 6% of dog parents and 2% of cat parents find their pets in the shelter.[2]

Did those stats make you worry? Here are some comforting facts about microchips:

  1. There is a national registry of pet microchips. Your pet can be found miles away and still make it home.
  2. The registry database of pet microchips has a hotline; almost any vet, shelter, or animal control unit can easily find your pet’s phone number.
  3. The United Kingdom has a much higher rate of microchip usage, and guess what? They see 3 times more dogs returned to their loving families.

How Does a Pet’s Microchip Work?

A microchip may be tiny, but it does a huge job! This small electromagnetic transponder is the size of a grain of rice that is permanently embedded under the loose skin between the shoulder blades.

The chip will stay in place for the extent of your pet’s life. This provides the security that if lost or stolen your pet will be easily identifiable by simply scanning the chip.

Don’t let your cat’s or dog’s curiosity turn into a tragedy.  Make your appointment today to have a microchip placed, and remember to have it updated every year with your latest information.

 

Image credit: Pixabay

[1] https://peeva.co/missing-pet-epidemic-facts-and-figures

[2]aspca.org/about-us/press-releases/how-many-pets-are-lost-how-many-find-their-way-home-aspca-survey-has-answers