We’re proud to offer pet microchipping because we know just how important it is. It is a scary situation when a pet becomes separated from his or her owner. Owners worry about their pet’s safety, who will find their pet, and how they will be reunited. Pets have been known to slip their collars and I.D. tags can fall off or become unreadable.

Microchipping can offer assurance that animal shelters and veterinarians can identify your pet. Brodheadsville Veterinary Clinic is pleased to offer pet microchipping as a means of protecting your pet.

Lost pet statistics

• More than 10 million dogs and cats are lost or stolen in the U.S. every year (an estimation from the American Humane Association).
• One in three pets will become lost at some point during its lifetime.
• About 22 percent of lost dogs that enter animal shelters are reunited with their families, but the rate of return for microchipped dogs is more than 52 percent, which is a 238 percent increase (according to a study published in the Journal of the American Veterinary Medical Association).
• Less than 2 percent of lost cats that enter animal shelters are reunited with their families, but the rate of return for microchipped cats is more than 38 percent, which is a 2,000 percent increase (the same study published in the Journal of the American Veterinary Medical Association).

Why you should microchip your pet

A microchip is a simple, tiny (about the size of a grain of rice), and inexpensive way to give your pet a “voice.” It gives your pet the ability to tell the person who finds him who he is and where he lives. A microchip provides secure, reliable, and permanent identification, which greatly increases the likelihood that your pet, if lost, will be returned home to you.

Why you should register your pet’s microchip

A microchip only does its job if it is registered with up-to-date contact information in a pet recovery database. The same study published in the Journal of the American Veterinary Medical Association mentioned above also indicated that only 58 percent of microchipped animals in shelters have microchips that are registered in a database with their owner’s contact information. That means that more than 40 percent of the microchipped animals had microchips that were essentially useless.

If your pet is not microchipped, call our office to set up a quick and simple appointment. If your pet is microchipped and you are unsure about the registration, we can help you determine which database you need to contact.

The Procedure

Brodheadsville Veterinary Clinic recommends that pets are microchipped as puppies or kittens and will often complete the procedure at the time of spaying or neutering when the pet is already anesthetized. A large needle is used to insert the microchip under the skin. The microchip will be registered and the pet owner’s contact information will be maintained with the tracking company.

WebMD has an excellent article answering common questions about pet microchipping that may be of help to you. Our knowledgeable staff is always available to answer your questions as well.

Many animals end up in shelters every year and, sadly, many are not reclaimed by their owners. Together, Brodheadsville Veterinary Clinic can provide another layer of protection to keep your pet safely with you.

Click here to visit HomeAgain and learn more about how pet microchipping works.