The Miracle of Micro-chipping
According to the American Humane Association, only 17% of lost
dogs and only 2% of lost cats ever find their way home from an animal
shelter. These odds can be dramatically increased by micro-chipping
your pet. The AKC (American Kennel Club) has registered more than
2,150,000 micro-chipped pets and has therefore been able to reunite
more than 182,000 pets with their families. Collars and tags w/
your pet’s information are great, but not 100% reliable –
they can fall off, rust, or wear off. Micro-chipping your pet provides
them with an ID that lasts their lifetime.
Each microchip is the size of a grain of rice and has it’s
own ID number. (Each company that manufactures these chips is able
to produce up to 275 billion different numbers…and there are
numerous companies that do this – so your pet’s number
will be unique!) The chip is made of a bio-compatible substance
that will not cause any adverse reactions in your pet. It won’t
move or decompose.
The chip is usually implanted between the pet’s shoulder
blades. This is a procedure that does not require anesthesia. The
needle that the chip is injected through is just a bit larger than
one used for vaccinations. Many pet’s don’t react at
all.
Once your pet has had the chip implanted, you will receive paperwork
to fill out and send into the company to complete the registration
process. Your pet’s ID number is registered with an international
database. Animal hospitals, shelters, humane societies and animal
control officers can all have scanners to scan the pet for a chip.
If your pet is found and is scanned, a radio signal in the chip
will provide contact information to the database. Then it is a matter
of a phone call to the database to retrieve your information. Most
companies allow you to list the following on your registration:
your name, your pet’s name, your home address, your home and
mobile phone numbers, your vet’s name, address and phone number,
and at least one alternate emergency contact (again, w/ name, address
and phone#). So, even if you are unreachable, chances are someone
on the pet’s information sheet will be.
The cost of micro-chipping your pet varies from $25.00 - $40.00
depending on your vet and location. This is a one time fee to your
vet – the chip will never need maintenance or replacement.
There may also be a small one-time fee to register your pet with
the database. (This fee is typically waived for assistance dogs).
The value of this procedure is unquestionable. There are hundreds
of pets lost yearly – think of the panic and helplessness
you would feel if your pet were to get away from you. Wouldn’t
you want to have done everything you could have to ensure your pet
would be returned to you? Do you say your pet doesn’t go out?
These pets will surely benefit from this, as they are usually ones
that do not wear collars or identifying tags – what if a neighbor
or repair man lets your pet out? What if there is ever an emergency?
The AKC and Canadian Kennel Clubs both recognize microchips as proof
of ownership. It is like any other serial number and could even
settle a court case over ownership of a pet.
For a small fee, you can help ensure your pet’s safety and
return to you in the event of separation….I can’t think
of a price to big for that.
For Beverly residents: the City of Beverly is having it’s
annual Rabies Clinic on May 5, 2004 at the YMCA Balch St. This year,
the city is also offering LOW COST micro-chipping for your pet.
The fee is $15.00. You must pre-register for this – to do
so, please call the animal services officer at: 978-921-6040 X311.
|
