Microchipping: the best gift for your pet
Suzhy Winfield RVN of VetSavers offers her advice Pets can go missing for a many reasons; they can become scared by fireworks, thunderstorms and even road works invoking their animal fight or flight instincts. They can be injured and not be able to get home, or simply wander too far from home and get lost
It is thought that only around 50% of dogs are microchipped, and even fewer cats, yet many go missing every day. Collars and tags are often lovingly given to pets, however these can easily come off leaving a much-loved family member lost and unidentifiable. If pets are microchipped, vets and local authorities can quickly identify their owner and return the pet home with least stress to the animal. When pets are not microchipped they usually end up in a re-homing centre or even worse, being put to sleep. National charity Dogs Trust, report that last year 111,986 stray and abandoned dogs were picked up by Local Authorities across the UK, with only 40% reunited with their owners. This percentage would be dramatically increased if more pets were microchipped and is a strong reason why in April 2016 it will become compulsory for all dogs in England to be microchipped.
Why do vets recommend microchipping?
A microchip provides a permanent, inexpensive form of identification – for life. Ask anyone how much they would pay to get their pet back if it was lost and I’m sure the answer would be a lot more than the cost of a microchip.
Who can be microchipped?
Microchipping is commonly done on cats, dogs and rabbits, but many other species including birds, horses, reptiles, small furries and even fish can be chipped!
How big is a microchip?
The chip itself is smaller than a grain of rice and in cats, dogs and rabbits is implanted under the loose skin of the neck, which is usually almost pain free for the pet. It is important to point out that microchips and readers can vary considerably from suppliers so it is vital that a good quality chip with maximum readability is used and implanted correctly.
When can my pet be microchipped?
Most vets recommend microchipping at the time of the second injection in your pets’ primary course or any time after this. Microchipping is usually performed fully conscious and takes just a few moments. Here at VetSavers, we use Tracer Advance microchips. Once implanted all Tracer Advance microchips are registered with Petlog, which is managed by the Kennel Club. They are also currently the only non-glass microchip in the UK, making them 10 times stronger than glass as well as shatterproof.
About microchip databases
The microchip database is the key to the reunification process and owners can be sure that the database linked to the Tracer Advance microchip is robust now and will be in the future. If your pet is already microchipped but you have moved house or phone number, make sure you have updated the database which you can do at www.petlog.org.uk Petlog also offers the opportunity to add holiday contact details so if you do decide to take your pet with you and it does become lost in a strange place – the database will know where you are and how to get in touch.
The best gift ever
So why not give the best present ever this year and get your pet microchipped – or if you know a loved one’s pet isn’t microchipped, get this done for them and ensure that they will always be able to be reunited.
VetSavers Cardea Unit 2 Bellona Drive Cardea Peterborough PE2 8GP Tel: 01733 889236
VetSavers Hampton Dobbies Garden Centre, Cygnet Park, Hampton Peterborough PE7 8NY Tel: 07707 994966 Emergencies only: 01733 562904
