You’re finally bringing that new bundle of joy home, and you just can’t wait to learn more about them and start your life together. No, we’re not talking about a newborn baby, but a fur baby!

Bringing a new puppy or kitten into your home is a rewarding and life-altering experience, for both you and your pet. In order to give your puppy or kitten a happy, safe, comfortable and loving life, there are a few things you need to keep in mind.

Regular veterinary appointments are critical to the health of your new pet, as is making sure they have a roof over their head, food, water and plenty of toys, of course. Another important pet care service to consider whenever you get a new pet is to have him or her microchipped.

While a collar tag with all your information on it is an important first step, they aren’t necessarily foolproof. As any pet owner knows, both cats and dogs can be mischievous little creatures, slipping out of their collars for one reason or another. This is where microchipping your pet comes in.

What is a Microchip?

A microchip is basically a small identification that looks like a tiny grain of rice. While traditional modes of identification need to be replaced regularly, microchips will last throughout your pet’s life. By getting your dog or cat microchipped, you are giving your pet the best chance of returning home to you in the event he or she is lost. However, it is imperative that the microchip is registered along with your current contact information. Unfortunately, only 58% of the microchipped animals’ microchips are registered with their pet parent’s current contact information.

When your cat or dog is microchipped, the device is implanted safely beneath your pet’s skin, similar to a vaccination. Microchips allow pets to have a permanent, unique identity that makes them immediately recognizable when read with a specialized hand-held scanner. In a nutshell, microchips increase the chance of lost pets being reunited with their owners.

What Are the Benefits of Microchipping Your Pet?

We think the benefits of microchipping speak for themselves. However, we thought it would be helpful to look at some additional facts and statistics to drive home this point:

Approximately 22% of lost dogs that end up an animal shelter are reunited with their families. However, 52% of microchipped dogs are returned to their owners.
Less than 2% of cats that enter an animal shelter are reunited with their families. However, the return-to-owner rate for microchipped cats is more than 38%.
One in three pets will become lost at some point during their life.
According to the American Humane Association, over 10 million dogs and cats are lost or stolen in the United States every year.

In order to keep your beloved pet safe and by your side for many years to come, we encourage you to have him or her microchipped. To learn more about our microchipping pet care service, please give one of our knowledgeable vet technicians a call today.

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Image courtesy of Witthaya Phonsawat at FreeDigitalPhotos.net