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Will your pet's microchip bring him home
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Other than hanging identification tags on collars, Dr. Nancy Kay has always thought (and advised her clients) that micro chipping dogs and cats is the best way to ensure that they will be reunited with their owner should circumstances separate them. As it turns out, micro chipping isn't nearly as foolproof as she believed- not because the chips are defective, but rather, because of human error. Have a look at what was written in the November 1st edition of the Journal of the American Veterinary Medical Association (JAVMA):
“A limitation of the microchip registry system is than many pet owners do not register microchips in their names according to Characterization of animals with microchips entering animal shelters (see Java, July 15, 2009). In that study, shelters contacted microchip registries regarding 1,943 animals but found registrations for only 58.1 percent. The registries were unable to find any information on the owner or on the person who implanted the microchip for 9.8 percent of the animals. Among other recommendations, the study so authors suggested that veterinarians and shelter personnel should not only register pet microchips at the time of implantation, but also remind the pet’s owners to update information in the registry.
Jason Merrihew, American Animal Hospital Association spokesman said, educating pet owners is a key step to improve micro chipping as a form of pet identification. Every time that they change their address or change phone numbers, then they need to update that microchip information, Merrihew said.
So what does all this mean? Here’s the bottom line in terms of achieving the intended purpose of your pets identification microchip: At the time your dog or cat is micro chipped, Dr. Kay advises to be sure to complete the registration materials and have them processed with the appropriate microchip registry. She is sure your veterinarian (or whoever it is that implants the microchip) does the same. Additionally, update that registry whenever your contact data (telephone number, address) changes. If you haven’t moved or changed your phone number in well over a decade, you and your pets are in good shape. Will your lost dog or cat be able to find you again? If you know your contact information is not current, or you are unsure, pick up the phone or go online today. It could make all the difference.
Reprint courtesy of Nancy Kay, DVM
Diplomate, American College of Veterinary Internal Medicine
Recipient, American Animal Hospital Association 2009 Animal Welfare and Humane Ethics Award
Author of:?Speaking for Spot: Be the Advocate Your Dog Needs to?Live a Happy, Healthy, Longer Life
Website:?http://www.speakingforspot.com
Spot?s Blog:?http://www.speakingforspot.com/blog
Email: dr.kay@speakingforspot.com
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