Microchipping Your Pet: Is it Necessary or Not?

  Posted on April 25, 2014  by joyofliving  No comments

Party Marty here! TGIF!  It is spring! It is sunny!  It is getting warmer! I have no complaints! Friday is my favorite day of the week as it means I get the entire weekend to chill out and relax so that I can store up my energy for the onslaught of resting I have to do during the upcoming week! Never a dull moment in my life! I am a cat. Catnaps are my primary areas of expertise!

However, you have come to this blog for a reason, and a reason I shall give you. After all, I am not doing my job if I don’t make a post here. So…. today’s lesson is…. wait for it…The Importance of Microchipping Your Pet!

Owning a pet is a huge responsibility and not one to be taken lightly. However, so many pets end up at shelters every year because they are lacking identification. Micro-chipping is way to ensure that if your pet becomes lost, he can find his way back to you.

What is a microchip, anyway? Well, it is an integrated circuit roughly the size of a grain of rice. It is implanted underneath your dog’s skin, typically between the shoulders. This microchip offers a permanent way to identify your dog. Inside each chip is an ID number, which is stored in a special database.  If your dog becomes lost and someone finds him, they can have that chip scanned.  From there, you – the owner – can be tracked down and happily reunited with your furry friend!

However, many owners fail to get their pets micro chipped. Some claim it is too expensive; others think it will hurt their pet and some argue that having the dog wear a collar with tags is enough identification.

Nevertheless, you can get your dog micro-chipped for about the cost of dinner out for two at a casual restaurant. So, on average, expect to pay anywhere from $25 – $45. If this is still out of your range of affordability, there are some clinics that offer micro-chipping at a discount, or, better yet, for free! Besides, you cannot put a price tag on peace of mind! As for the pain, most dogs will feel nothing, and if they do, it is a very minor sting.

As for the collar with tags as identification in the event your dog becomes lost, that collar can slip off or the tags can come off. The chip is permanently under the skin!

If you do decide to microchip your dog, always be sure to keep your contact information updated by calling the microchip company right away whenever any of that changes.

Please be sure to discuss this with your vet or visit your local clinic for more important information about micro-chipping your pet!

Speaking of chips, I suddenly have a craving for chips and dip!  Gotta go! TGIF!

Thanks to pawnation.com for this helpful information!