Did you know that every 1 out of 3 family pets get lost, but only about 6 out of 10 pet microchips are registered? A microchip can make all the difference in being reunited with your furry loved one.
To remind pet owners to have their pets microchipped and to keep the registration information up-to-date, the American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA) and the American Animal Hospital Association (AAHA) joined together to create “Check the Chip Day.”
In order to make sure your pet has the best chance of returning home safely, follow these tips:
Make Sure Your Pet Is Registered
Your Pets Microchip Number
Most shelters and rescues will microchip a pet prior to adoption, but it is your responsibility to register it. When you register a chip, you give the microchip company your information for them to contact you in case your pet gets lost. Contrary to popular belief, a microchip is not a GPS tracker. It will not help you locate a lost pet. A microchip is a legal form of ownership and identification. If a lost pet is brought into a vet hospital or shelter, the medical team will scan for a microchip to determine who the owner is and how to contact them.
You can find their microchip number on your adoption papers. If you can’t find the adoption papers, call your vet or the place of adoption to ask if they have your pet’s records. You can also ask your veterinarian to scan your pet for the number.
Microchip Manufacturers
You have to register your microchip with the chip manufacturer which means it’s important for you to know what kind of chip your pet has. Here is a guide for the most common brands.
You can also determine what brand your pet’s microchip is using the AAHA Universal Pet Microchip Lookup Tool.
Confirm & Update Registration Information
If you have already registered your pet, go to the website where they are registered. Double-check that all of the important information for them to be returned to you is up to date. Your phone number and address will be used, so if you have changed anything since registration, update it!
For microchipped animals that weren’t returned to their owners, most of the time it was due to incorrect owner information (or no owner information) in the microchip registry database.
Pet Success Stories
Watch Videos: 7 Lucky Dogs Who Made it Home Thanks to Their Microchip
Pet owners often forget that their pet even has a chip, so it can be even harder to remember the importance of it! This day was started to remind you, the owner, about just that, but we hope that you never need to rely on this information.
In the case that your pet gets lost, having your pet registered will give you hope that they will be returned to you and your family soon.
The post August 15th: National Check The Chip Day appeared first on Aspen Grove Vet.
