Every Reason You Should Microchip Your Pet
Losing my dog has been one of my biggest fears since bringing her home. There have been several times over the last 3 years that she has managed to escape the backyard or get free of her collar while on a walk. Each time she runs away, the only reason I’m able to stay any amount of calm is because she is microchipped. Did you know that 1/3 of dogs and cats will run away or be stolen at some point? Some dogs are curious, others get spooked, and unfortunately some are even stolen from their own yards. Regardless of how or why your dog went missing, microchipping is one of your best bets for having them return home safely. May is National Chip Your Pet Month so today we are discussing all the reasons why you should microchip your pet.
Why Should You Microchip Your Dog?
Dogs are curious creatures and as a result it’s not uncommon for them to go missing. Working in the veterinary field, we get reports of missing dogs all the time. Some dogs are just curious and will follow a smell for miles or hop a fence to chase a squirrel. Others will get loose on accident and get lost or distracted while trying to find their way home. And even if your dog is a perfect listener who never lets curiosity get the best of them, plenty of dogs get stolen too.
According to the AKC, dog theft is on the rise and an estimated 2 million dogs get stolen every single year. Some dogs are stolen straight from their yards, others are stolen when their owners are robbed at gun point while on a walk. Most often, dogs who are stolen are then sold so that the thief can make a profit.
Microchipping your dog is one of the best ways to ensure that if your dog gets lost or stolen they’ll be returned to you. Vet clinics and animal shelters have a protocol in place to scan all new animals that come in for a microchip. If your pet is chipped, and the information is up to date, the clinic or shelter will be able to contact you and get you and your pet reunited.
Microchipping Your Pet is the Responsible Thing to Do
Did you know that in some countries it is illegal to not microchip your pet? Microchips keep animals out of shelters. A large majority of the dogs (and cats) that end up in an animal shelter are pets who were lost and who’s owners were never found. Animal shelters are overpopulated because of the large majority of people who never microchip their pet.
Animals who are microchipped will always be returned to their owners should they find themselves in a shelter. Those that are not may end up living out their remaining days in a cage.
Microchipping is Easy and Inexpensive
The large needle used for microchipping may make you think otherwise, but microchipping your pet really is a quick and pretty painless procedure. The injection is just as simple as that of a vaccine. Most dogs don’t even flinch when the needle is inserted. Regardless, many veterinarians will offer microchipping when your pet goes under anesthesia for a spay/neuter. This way they won’t be subjected to the pain of the needle at all, and you’ll kill two birds with one stone.
Microchipping is also fairly inexpensive, costing between $25-50 for the initial insertion. You will then have to pay a “registration fee” to register your pets chip to your information, but this is typically only about $10 a year. The cost of microchipping can save you a lot of money and stress in the future should your pet go missing.
Microchipping Provides Peace of Mind
While microchipping your pet doesn’t guarantee their return if they get lost, it’s the closest you can get. The AKC reports that microchipped pets are 20x more likely to return home than those who aren’t. Between my dogs microchip and her ID tag with her name and my contact information, I have some peace of mind every time she manages to run off.
Is your dog microchipped?