Did you know that 1 in 3 pets will get lost in their lifetime? That’s a staggering number, and it doesn’t stop there. Of pets that end up in shelters, only 21% of dogs and 1.8% of cats without microchips get returned to their families. This increases to 52% of dogs and 38% of cats when they have a microchip, a significant improvement. While not perfect, microchips can dramatically increase the likelihood your lost pet will return home. Want some examples? Check out these these stories:
Galena the cat shipped herself to LA
Patches the dog found 4 years later
So what can you do to keep your pet from becoming a statistic?
- Get your pet microchipped. Be sure to register the chip with the database so your information is connected to your pet.
- Update your pet’s information with the microchip database at least annually and anytime you have a change of address or living situation.
- Keep your pets on leash when outdoors and guard against for door darting.
Not sure your pet’s chip is registered or don’t know where to start? Bring you pet in to Harmony Vet and have us scan your pet’s chip! We can help get you in touch with the right database to ensure everything is correct.
Add alternative contacts to the database information.
These are people who know where you are and how to reach you should your pet be found. The more you have, the more easily you can be found should your pet go wandering during a move or when you’re traveling.
If you find a lost pet, bring it to a local veterinarian or animal control office. They can scan the chip and get the pet back home very quickly in most cases.
Having a microchip is the best way to ensure that a wandering or lost pet gets back home. Don’t let yourself go through the agony of searching endlessly for a lost pet. Get a microchip today!
For the rest of May, Harmony Veterinary Center is offering a 50% savings on microchip placement. Call us today to schedule an appointment.