August 15 is National Check the Chip Day!

A microchip is a tiny device, about the size of a grain of rice, that's implanted under a pet’s skin. This is done with a needle, so the process is just like getting an injection. Scanners at veterinary clinics, humane societies, and animal shelters across the country can detect these chips, and a national registry containing contact information for each microchipped pets' owners permits the return of chipped pets throughout the United States and Canada.

Remember, however, that microchipping alone is not enough. You must register the microchip with the manufacturer and keep your contact information current, especially if you move to a new address or change your phone number. This is especially important when you consider that less than 2% of unchipped lost cats entering animal shelters are reunited with their families, but more than 38% of chipped lost cats get to go home. For dogs, 52% of microchipped lost dogs are reunited with their owners (unchipped dogs are reunited only about 15% of the time).

To remind pet owners to have their pets microchipped and to keep their registration information current, the American Veterinary Medical Asssociation (AVMA) and the American Animal Hospital Association (AAHA) have joined together to create “Check the Chip Day.”

If your pet is microchipped:

• Check your pet’s registration information in the microchip manufacturer’s database to ensure all contact information is current. To do this, you'll need to contact the manufacturer of your pet’s microchip directly and give them your pet’s microchip number. (Most manufacturers have websites that allow you to do this easily.)

• If you don't know the manufacturer of your pet’s microchip, AAHA’s Universal Pet Microchip Lookup Tool can help. This internet-based application is linked to the registries of the majority of microchip manufacturers and allows a quick database search of any microchip made by these manufacturers. Simply enter your pet’s microchip number and the application will generate the name of the manufacturer.
• Don’t know your pet’s microchip number? We’re happy to help! Simply bring your pet to the hospital and we will scan him/her for you.

If your pet is not microchipped:

• Make an appointment with us! It only takes a few minutes and we can register your pet immediately. 

For more information about National Check the Chip Day, click here. And if you have any questions about your pet, be sure to contact us!