Microchip Pet Identification

Why Microchip?

Your pet always has the chance of getting lost. Certain circumstances like thunderstorms, fireworks, and other loud noises can cause your pet to startle and run away. They can also escape from your house/yard or slip out of they collar during a walk. What can you do to protect your pet if this happens? Having your pet microchipped can help ensure that he/she will be returned to your family safely and quickly. Microchipping is a way of permanently identifying your pet. It’s a positive and effective way to identify each pet to it’s correct owner.

How it Works.

The microchip itself is about the size of a grain of rice. It is implanted under the skin between the shoulder blades. The microchip is programmed with a unique number code. You will also be sent home with a stainless steel collar tag with the microchip database phone number and an individual tag number. You and your pet’s information and it’s associated microchip number is registered onto a North American wide recovery database.

If your pet was found, the person can call the toll free phone number located on the tag which will allow the owner to be notified. Alternatively, the microchip can be scanned at any veterinary clinic or animal shelter. Scanning will provide the clinic staff with the microchip number and in turn they will be able to obtain your contact information.

The Benefit of Having Your Pet Microchipped:

Here at Brack Animal Hospital we feel that it is extremely important that all pets are permanently identified through microchipping. It provides an owner with the security of knowing that if your pet is found there is a better chance that he/she will be reunited with you quickly and safely. The following are some key benefits of microchipping:

• Microchips help identify your pet. If your pet is lost and ends up at an animal shelter, they will know whose pet it is.
• It is a permanent method of identification. The microchip will stay with your pet for life.
• Identification information can be easily updated. As the information is kept on a database, it is a simple matter to update your details whenever you move or your number changes.
• There is less chance that someone will steal your pet. As a microchip is a permanent record that the dog belongs to you, there is less likelihood that someone will be able to get away with stealing him/her.
• There is less chance that you will lose your pet. When a pet has a microchip, it increases the chances of your pet being returned.
• You will know if your animal is dying or injured. Unfortunately, some animals do get injured and died. When a vet or the retrieves or treats the pet, they will check for a microchip and inform you of what has happened.
• It is fairly painless for your pet. The microchip is very small and is injected with a needle. It feels about the same as a vaccination.
• It cannot be removed. ID tags can be removed and even tattoos can become illegible over time, but a microchip is a permanent method of identification.
• Microchipping cost is relatively inexpensive. When you consider that this microchip stays with your dog for life, it is a very inexpensive method of identification.
• It saves time. If your pet runs away, you will not need to spend as much time looking for them, posting up advertisements and visiting animal shelters.
• It may save your pet’s life. If a pet ends up at an animal shelter, it will stay there for a certain period of time before it may be rehomed or euthanized. However, if your pet has a microchip, then the contact details will be retrieved and your pet will be returned.

Brack Animal Hospital is now offering a reduced cost for microchipping during your pet’s spay or castration surgery. We will implant the microchip while he/she is under anesthetic so the procedure is painless. Please ask one of our team members about this option for your pet.