Microchips are a safe and secure form of permanent pet identification. Pet collars often break or the tags become unreadable. A microchip is as small as a grain of rice so it can be inserted quickly and often feels like a pinch. If your pet has not been spayed or neutered we do recommended doing them at the same time but can insert microchips at any time.
Microchips provide the best odds of recovering your pet in the worse case scenario that they should get lost. Microchips offer the peace of mind to their families that they are prepared against the unthinkable. Even the best-behaved and well-trained pets can have curiosity get the best of them. Pets that are microchiped have a 30% better chance of getting reunited with their families.
How do microchips work? In the case a pet is lost and brought into a shelter or veterinary clinic they can scan the pet for a microchip. If the pet does have a microchip the scanner with pick up the individual identification number. They can then enter the identification number into a database where the owners information appears so that you can be contacted and reunited with your four-legged family member.
till not convinced you should microchip your pet? As of April 2007 El Paso County requires every pet to be microchiped. Here are some real facts from El Paso county webpage to show the need for them in El Paso (http://www.elpasotexas.gov/community/_archive/032706/health1.asp):
Over 24,000 animals are impounded annually (*approximately 77 per day)
There are an estimated 100,000-150,000 stray animals in our community
Your pet is microchiped, now what? In order for the microchip to work as intended you have to make sure that all the contact information you’ve provided is accurate. If you move or change your phone number remember to contact the manufacture with the updated information.
During the month of June get $5 off your pet’s microchip at Mesa Veterinary Clinic and Paws N Hooves Mobile Veterinary Services. For more information or to schedule your appointment give us a call at 915-584-4491 today!
By Monique Conway, Client Coordinator