5 Reasons To Microchip Your Pet

Has your furry friend been microchipped yet? If not, we strongly urge you to reach out to your vet and get that appointment on the books. Microchips may be small, but they really can make a big difference in your pet’s life. A Lasalle County, IL vet lists some reasons to microchip Fido and Fluffy in this article. 

Invisible LIfeline 

Microchips don’t eliminate the need for tags. ID tags are still the easiest way for people to match lost pets with their worried humans. They are also required by law. However, tags can be easily removed. Microchips, on the other hand, are permanent, so they form an invisible link that ties you and your four-legged friend together. 

One-Time Procedure 

Getting your furry best friend microchipped is very quick and easy. Your vet will inject the chip beneath your pet’s skin, using a hypodermic needle. That’s it! This is often done along with spay/neuter surgery, but can be scheduled separately. You’ll need to fill out your records, but as far as the physical end of things, it’s a one-and-done procedure. 

Real-Time Updates 

Microchips don’t transmit or contain your data. They only contain a single piece of information: a unique identification number, which can be read with special scanners. This number is linked to your account in the manufacturer’s database. You can—and should—update those records any time your personal information changes. (If you haven’t checked your furry pal’s information for a while, try the AAHA Universal Pet Microchip Lookup here.)

Perks

Technology is really developing rapidly these days. While microchips do not currently have GPS capabilities, there are products, such as pet doors and food bowls, that can work with Fido or Fluffy’s individual chips. That could come in really handy! 

Helping Pets Come Home

Microchips definitely increase the chances of a lost pet being reunited with their worried humans … sometimes after being missing for years or being separated by hundreds—or even thousands—of miles. You may have seen some of the amazing stories about people being reunited with beloved furry friends that they had given up hope on. One recent example of this just happened last week, when Sophie, a pooch that had gone missing from Cincinnati, was reunited with her original owner, a truck driver from California. 

Do you need to schedule microchipping? Contact us, your local Lasalle County, IL pet hospital, today!