Here at Companion Veterinary and Urgent Care Center, our mission extends beyond providing immediate care to your pets; it’s about ensuring their safety and well-being throughout their lives. June marks National Microchipping Month, a perfect time to highlight the importance of this small yet significant step in safeguarding your furry family members.
What is Microchipping?
Microchipping involves implanting a tiny chip, about the size of a grain of rice, under your pet’s skin, typically between the shoulder blades. This chip contains a unique identification number that can be read by a scanner, allowing lost pets to be quickly reunited with their owners. Unlike collars or tags, which can fall off or be removed, a microchip provides a permanent form of identification.
Why is Microchipping Important?
Reunite Lost Pets with Their Families: According to the American Veterinary Medical Association, pets with microchips are significantly more likely to be returned to their owners. For dogs, the return-to-owner rate is over 52%, compared to just 22% for non-microchipped dogs. The difference is even more striking for cats, with 38% of microchipped cats reunited versus less than 2% without chips.
Peace of Mind: Knowing your pet has a microchip provides peace of mind. If your pet goes missing, having a microchip can dramatically increase the chances of a happy reunion.
Simple and Safe Procedure: Microchipping is quick, easy, and painless for your pet. It can be done during a routine visit to our clinics and requires no anesthesia. The chip itself is designed to last for the life of your pet, with no need for replacement.
How Does Microchipping Work?
After your pet is microchipped, the unique identification number is registered with a national pet recovery database. It’s crucial to keep your contact information up-to-date in this database. Should your pet become lost and is found by a shelter or vet, they can scan the chip, retrieve your contact details, and facilitate a swift reunion.
Myths About Microchipping
Microchips Are Not GPS Trackers: One common misconception is that microchips can track your pet’s location. In reality, they only provide identification when scanned by a professional.
Microchipping is Not Expensive: The cost of microchipping is relatively low, especially considering the invaluable benefits it offers.
Microchipping is Safe: Some pet owners worry about the safety of microchipping. The chips are made from biocompatible materials, meaning they are designed to prevent adverse reactions in pets.
Celebrate National Microchipping Month with Us
At Companion Veterinary and Urgent Care Center, we are dedicated to promoting the health and safety of your pets. If you stop by our clinic, we will check your pet for a microchip at no charge. We encourage all pet owners to take advantage of this opportunity to enhance their pet’s safety.
Join us in celebrating National Microchipping Month by ensuring your pet is protected. Schedule an appointment today to have your pet microchipped and take a proactive step toward their safety and your peace of mind.
In conclusion, microchipping is a simple, effective, and permanent way to ensure that your beloved pets have the best chance of being returned to you if they ever get lost. This June, let’s work together to increase awareness of the number of microchipped pets in our community. Your pet’s safety is our priority, and microchipping is key to that commitment.
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