4 Things Your Vet Wants You to Know About Pet Microchipping
Is your pet microchipped? If not, then you may want to look into having this service done at your local vet clinic. Microchipping involves the placement of a tiny computer chip underneath your pet's skin; this chip is programmed with a unique ID number that's linked to your contact information, making it possible for you and your pet to be reunited in the event that your pet goes missing.
Still, there's some misinformation out there about pet microchipping. Here are a few things your vet probably wants you to know.
It's Quick and Inexpensive
One of the main reasons people neglect to have their pets microchipped is that they assume it's an expensive or complex procedure. In reality, inserting a chip takes just a matter of seconds (most pets don't even realize it's happened) and typically costs about the same price as a standard pet collar and tags. Many vets also run occasional specials on microchip services because they realize just what a valuable service this is to pet owners.
You Need to Register Your Pet's Chip
Having your pet microchipped doesn't mean much if your pet's chip hasn't been registered with the microchip company itself. If you have your pet chipped at a local vet clinic, they should be able to register it on your behalf. Otherwise, you'll just need to call the microchip company with your pet's unique chip ID number; from there, they can get your pet's chip registered and get your contact information in their system.
It's Not a GPS Tracking Device
Some pet owners mistakenly believe that a pet microchip will physically track a pet's location via GPS if a pet goes missing. While this would be wonderful technology to have, it's simply not something that microchips are capable of doing. If somebody finds your lost pet and has him/her scanned for a microchip, however, this will enable them to contact you and be reunited with your pet!
You Need to Update Your Information
Any time you move or change telephone numbers, it's vital to contact your pet's chip company and update this information with them. This is key to making sure you can be reached in the event that your pet is found.
Overall, microchipping your pet is one of the cheapest and easiest things you can do to protect them. Check with a local vet clinic like Family Pet Clinic to see if they're running any specials on this service.