When Kate escaped her backyard, a good samaritan brought her to a clinic. Because her microchip information was current, the dog was reunited with her happy family within hours.
There is nothing worse than that sinking feeling when you get home and see the back gate cracked open. You walk through the gate calling for your best friend and get no response. You feel helpless—like there is nothing you can do to get your pet back.
Every year, thousands of animals are lost and taken to shelters and rescue groups. In fact, one in three pets will become lost at some point in their life. Without identification, 90 percent will not return home.
It turns out there is something you can do to greatly increase the odds of getting your dog or cat back home. Studies have shown that while only 22 percent without a microchip get returned home, those with a microchip are more than twice as likely to make it back home.
Worse, fewer than 2 percent of cats without a microchip ever get back home. But microchip the kitty and she is 20 times more likely to be returned.
A collar and tag can help, but collars can be lost, leaving the pet vulnerable. A microchip is permanent. Any stray brought into a veterinary clinic or shelter will be scanned. Then, the owner can be called, and each story gets a happy ending.
Cheap and Painless
Some people worry that implanting the chip causes pain. Most dogs and cats don’t feel the microchip any more than a vaccination.
Cost is another concern. Most vet clinics charge between $30 and $50 to implant the microchip. Typically this also includes the registration. There are also several microchip clinics offered throughout the valley where dogs and cats can get microchips for as low as $10.
Anthem and New River have a large problem with dogs and cats escaping. The local pet advocacy group, Anthem Pets, reported that between August and November, 69 dogs and cats were found running loose in the area. Of those, only 35 were reunited with their owners. More of these pets would have made it home if they had microchips with current registration information.
Only as Good as its Info
Getting a microchip is the first step. You must ensure that you properly register your pet with the company. They will ask you for an alternate contact. Carefully choose a friend or family member with the most stable address and phone number. Or, consider using your veterinary clinic as the alternate contact.
It is also vitally important to make sure you contact the microchip company and change your information every time your address or phone number changes. If your number is outdated, it’s as if the microchip were never there.
Following these simple steps will give you the best chance of being reunited with your best friend.
Dr. Kirstin Young is a doctor of veterinary medicine at the Daisy Mountain Veterinary Hospital. Send your pet related questions to vet@anthemnews.com.
Cost to Microchip Your Pet
Daisy Mountain Vet: $38.80
Animal Hospital in Anthem $65
Anthem Pet Medical Center $69 (plus $57 exam if the pet has never been seen there)
Sonoran Foothills Pet Clinic $58
Vetco Vaccination Clinic at Petco $43
