Chip Your Pet Month

May is Chip Your Pet Month. We’re onboard with that! Microchipping is a very quick and simple procedure, but it’s also one of the most important things you can do for your pet. If your furry friend is ever lost, stolen, or separated from you in a disaster or emergency situation, that tiny device could be the only thing linking you together. Read on as a local Roswell, NM vet goes over some key microchipping information.

The Data

Microchips greatly increase the chances of pets being reunited with their humans. One study showed that dogs with chips were about 2.4 times more likely to be returned to their humans than those who weren’t chipped. The difference is even greater for kitties: chipped cats are a whopping 21 times more likely to be returned home. Microchips also greatly increase the chances of the owners being found: 73 percent of chipped pets were located. For those that were not found, missing or outdated contact information played a significant role.

The Procedure

Many people schedule microchipping along with spay/neuter surgery. However, this isn’t a must: you can also schedule the appointment on its own. The chip is inserted with a hypodermic needle, usually between the pet’s shoulder blades. Once the chip is in, you won’t need to do any maintenance, or worry about upgrades. However, we do recommend having your veterinarian check it during your pet’s regular visits, just to ensure it’s still working and in the right place.

Records

Chips are wonderful safety nets, but they won’t do any good if your records are incomplete or outdated. You will need to fill out your records in the chipmaker’s registry. Be sure to update that information as needed. If you haven’t checked in a while, you can try using the AAHA Universal Pet Microchip Lookup tool here.

Perks

Having your pet microchipped does come with a few perks. While chips do not use GPS technology, they can be integrated with things like pet doors and automatic feeders. This can come in really handy if, for instance, you have pets with different dietary needs. Many chip manufacturers also offer helpful resources for finding missing pets. While hopefully, you’ll never need them, it’s nice to know the support is there. Ask your vet for more information.

Do you need to schedule microchipping? Contact us, your Roswell, NM animal clinic, today!