Microchip your Pet

We have brought this up before, but it bears repeating:

 Have your Pet Microchipped.

Over the past few months, we have seen many signs posted around Guelph, social media sites created, mass emails, and received phone calls where concerned pet owners are looking for a lost dog or cat. Although we share in their pain of losing their beloved family pet, one common thread seems to run through these stories more often than not. The pet was not microchipped.

At Royal City Animal Hospital - we always recommend microchipping for your pets. Microchips are very small - not much bigger than a grain of rice.They are implanted under the skin in your dog or cat. It is a painless procedure - similar to getting a vaccination. Microchipping is the only truly effective way to permanently identify your pet. Tattoos not only are difficult to read, but they also have no central database for which to identify pets. Collars and tags can break off or be taken off.

Actual size of a microchip

Microchips cannot be removed, and every veterinary clinic, humane society or animal shelter in North America has a scanner by which to check for a microchip. If your pet goes missing or is lost, and someone brings them to a shelter or Veterinary clinic - they will be scanned for the presence of a microchip and the company that has manufactured the chip will be contacted who in turn will contact you, the owner. Every year, thousands of animals are lost, or euthanized at shelters because their owner's could not be found. This is heartbreaking to everyone and can be avoided if the animal is microchipped.

Getting a microchip for your pet is a one time cost - there are no membership fess and there are no additional costs when you update your contact information in the database. When your pet has a microchip, make sure you inform the company that has your pets unique number on file of any changes in ownership, address, or other contact information. If your contact information is kept current in the database - the better your chances of getting your dog or cat back will be. If you do not remember who to call - have your veterinarian scan your pet, and they will give you the number of the company that has your pet on file.

Scanning for a Microchip

Microchips save lives - and reunite families.