Microchip Your Pet Before It’s Too Late
Every year, more than 6.5 million animals enter animal shelters nationwide. Many of these are pets that have lost their way from home. On average, only three to four percent of dogs that arrive at shelters are microchipped. The statistic is even worse for cats, as less than one percent of those entering shelters are microchipped. This increases the likelihood that once a pet is lost, it might never be reunited with it’s family, which is why microchipping is so important.
We can’t tell you how many sad stories we have heard over the years from people who wished they had microchipped their beloved pets while they had the chance. Our friends and neighbors at Washoe County Regional Animal Services are holding a free microchipping clinic to help the community keep their pets safe and accounted for.
What is Microchipping?
A microchip is a very small chip, that is electronic and activated when scanned. This tiny device is injected under your pets skin, so that when scanned it can read the pets identification number. This number is connected to the personal contact information of the pet’s owner and can help animals shelter locate your pet if it is ever lost. Microchips cannot fall off like a collar, and are the only permanent way to make sure your pet can be traced back to you. A microchip is no more painful than a typical injection for your pet, and anesthesia is not required for this procedure.
Microchips cannot directly track your pet, because they will be activated only when scanned. But if your pet happens to wander too far from home, and is picked up, the first thing animal control will check for is a microchip. Make sure that if your pet is microchipped, that they are registered to your correct name and updated contact information. You do not have to worry about privacy violations, as microchip manufacturers are obligated to protect your personal information.
Although a microchip cannot guarantee you will be reunited with your pet, it drastically increases your chances of locating them. That is why every animal adopted from Nevada Humane Society is microchipped.
Get Your Pet Microchipped For Free
If you have a pet that you consider family, make sure you increase your chances of getting them back, should they ever become lost, by having them microchipped. If you live in Washoe County and want to take the next step in keeping your pet safe, click here to make an appointment on January 26th or February 9th 2021 between 1:00-3:00pm to get them microchipped. Visit the Washoe County Regional Animal Services page to watch an important video with more details on microchipping.
