We can’t dwell on what-if’s but nearly 10 million dogs and cats are lost or stolen in the US each year. We think it will never happen to our pet. Simple mistakes can happen, the dog escapes his fenced in yard, the cat slips out the door when your hands are full. Preparing for this moment is vital, you will be thankful that you did.
The most reliable way to provide ID for your pet is microchipping. Microchips are permanent. They are safe and easily inserted underneath a patient’s skin, similar to an injection. Unlike a collar and ID tag, a microchip will not get lost. It will always be with your pet. Veterinary hospitals and shelters have a universal scanner that will recognize a vast number of different microchip brands. Make sure your pet’s microchip is registered to your name! If you are adopting a pet that is already microchipped, ask the rescue how to re-register the pet in your name. Many times, when we call the hotline with a microchip number on a found pet, the microchip is still registered to the rescue. If your veterinarian is inserting the microchip double check that they are registering the microchip for you as well. Many microchips will come with a tag to place on your pet’s collar, showing that they are microchipped.
GPS tags have recently become more prevalent. When pet owners purchase the tags, they will download an accompanying app on their phone. These tags, when attached to your pet’s collar will show their exact location. Microchips do not offer GPS tracking at this time, but it is possible for a collar to be lost or removed.
Traditional tags and personalized collars offer pet owners the ability to add their address and phone numbers. When microchipping is not an option for pets, purchasing a personalized collar or tag is important to display your pet’s ID if lost. However, like GPS tags they can be lost or stolen.
We love our pets and an important part of protecting them is making sure they have ID! Take the steps today to protect your pet. Wags and Whiskers offers microchipping service for pets in Central Illinois. If you already have ID for your pet, make sure you keep your information updated if your address or phone number changes.