Picture this – you arrive home after a long day of work only to discover that your pet is nowhere to be found, and the back door is wide open. Or perhaps a friend or worker has been in your home and left the door or gate ajar, allowing your little explorer to slip away unnoticed. Whatever the circumstances, having a pet go missing is one of the worst experiences a pet owner can have.

Hopefully your pet is wearing their collar and ID tags, but even those can become lost or damaged during your pet’s wandering. Pet microchipping can add a level of security to this scary scenario. Join the team at Animal Medical & 24 Hour Urgent Care as we walk you through the ins and outs of pet microchipping.

Pet Microchipping – What Is It?

A microchip is a tiny computer chip that’s inserted just underneath your pet’s skin between the shoulder blades via hypodermic needle. The procedure is relatively painless (much like a standard vaccination) and can be performed right here in our office during your pet’s wellness exam.

Microchips are considered inert, as they have no battery or internal power source. The chip itself is encapsulated in a biocompatible glass and is designed to stay where it was inserted, held in place by the surrounding connective tissue.

How It Works

Each chip comes with its own 15-digit identification number. In the event your pet winds up at an animal shelter or veterinary hospital, an employee will use a Universal Scanner to access the ID number, which can then be provided to the microchip company. You will be contacted by the company with your pet’s whereabouts.

It’s important to keep in mind that your pet’s microchip is only as good as the information registered to it. As soon as your pet is microchipped, you will need to register the chip with Home Again microchip company, either online or with the paperwork that we provide. Every time you move or change your phone number, you must be sure to update Home Again so your current contact information will be in their database.

The Gift That Keeps On Giving

Membership has its perks! Pet microchipping with a Home Again microchip significantly increases your odds of being reunited with your pet should they become lost, and as soon as you register you have access to the following benefits:

  • 24/7 Emergency Medical Hotline with access to a licensed ASPCA veterinarian (this service is typically $65 per call). Just in time for Pet Poison Awareness Month in March!
  • 24/7 on-call support with trained Lost Pet Specialists.
  • A nationwide network of over 1,000,000 volunteer PetRescuers.
  • A National Pet Recovery Database that is continually updated.
  • Travel Assistance that helps cover the cost of flying a pet home when found more than 500 miles away.

Please let us know if you have any additional questions or concerns about pet microchipping, or if you’re ready to take the plunge and protect your pet!

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Posted in: For The Dogs | Pet Safety | Puppies & Kittens | The Cat's Meow | You & Your Pet
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