The Importance of Microchipping Your Pet

By Ayse Pirge

Will a tiny microchip really make it more likely to get your lost pet back? The answer is a resounding YES! According to a study by the American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA), microchipped stray dogs were returned to their owners at more than DOUBLE the overall rate, including both microchipped and non-microchipped dogs. For stray cats, the difference in return rates was even more dramatic.

“A microchip is a permanent and unique identifier, and so I believe it is the single most important thing an owner can do to increase the chance that a lost pet will find its way back home,” Gina Addie, the HSLC Microchip Manager and Medical Supplies Coordinator says.

Updating your contact information is critical

“However, it is equally important for owners to remember to update the microchip registration whenever their address, phone number, or email address changes. If this information is not kept current, then a microchip is rather useless,” Addie adds. She also recommends asking your vet to scan for the chip on an annual basis to make sure it is still detectable by a microchip reader.

Microchipping is low risk

When asked whether pet owners should consider any possible risks associated with microchipping, Addie said that the hypodermic needle used is sterile, which “poses no more pain or risk of infection than any other injection (like vaccines, etc.).” Plus, no anesthesia is required. A microchip can be implanted during a routine veterinary office visit and is relatively inexpensive.

Indoor pets need microchips, too

Is microchipping necessary for indoor pets? Addie thinks that microchipping is as important for indoor pets as it is for outdoor ones, because any pet may unexpectedly escape the home.

“Children may run outside and leave a door open behind them. Or a service provider might come to the door causing a shy cat to panic and dash through the door when it’s opened,” Addie added.

“If you ever follow missing pet websites, you will see countless posts from people who have had this sort of thing happen. And, of course, they are frantic to get their pet back. A microchip greatly increases the chance that they will be reunited with their beloved fur baby.”

For further information on microchipping your pet, check out the American Veterinary Medical Association’s FAQ page. For more tips on preventing lost pets, read this HSLC blog.