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National Check the Chip Day, observed annually on August 15, reminds pet owners to check and update the microchip registration information on their furry family members.
Statistics show that one in three pets will become lost at some point during their lives…but cats and dogs with registered microchips are much more likely to enjoy a happy ending with their loving families.
National Check the Chip Day, observed annually on August 15, reminds pet owners to check and update the microchip registration information on their furry family members.
“Microchips are very effective for identifying lost pets and reuniting them with their owners,” said Dr. Thomas Meyer, President of the American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA). “But microchip registration needs to be done, and done correctly.”
Owners should contact their veterinarian for registration information or can go to www.petmicrochiplookup.org and access the Universal Pet Microchip Lookup Tool provided by the American Animal Hospital Association (AAHA). The tool allows users to enter a microchip code and directs them to participating microchip registries associated with that microchip’s number and manufacturer. All registries should be updated as needed.
In a study published by the Journal of the AVMA, research revealed that only 22 percent of lost dogs entering shelters were returned to their families. That percentage rose to more than 52 percent when a dog was microchipped.
“Any veterinarian will implant a pet microchip. The procedure is simple and does not need anesthetic,” Meyer said. “When the chip is scanned, embedded codes are used to retrieve the contact information of the pet owners. If the pet is lost, a reunion will follow—if the contact information is current.”
So, today, and every time you make a change to your address or phone number, take just a few moments to check that your pet’s microchip information is up-to-date!
