Importance of Microchipping

While collars and tags play an integral role in identifying lost pets, they are not foolproof. Collars can break off, leaving your pet to become a statistic among the many unidentified pets that end up in shelters. The good news is that you can prevent losing your pet by having your pet microchipped. Microchips allow lost pets to be easily identified and reunited with their owners. At Valley Animal Hospital, we have years of experience providing Clifton, NJ residents with microchipping services.

What are Microchips?

Microchips are implantable computer chips encoded with a unique identification number. Microchips are tiny (the size of a rice grain) and are placed under the skin of your cat or dog using a needle. They are administered much like a vaccine is. Microchips are readable by scanners found in many shelters and veterinary clinics, enabling retrieval of the owner’s contact information.

Importance of Microchipping

According to the American Humane Society, there are approximately 10 million reported cases of lost dogs and cats every year. At least 30% of pets will get lost at some point. While there could be other reasons for owners failing to trace their pets, top on the list is the inability to contact the owners. Benefits of microchips when compared with other means of identification include:

• Doesn’t break off: Unlike tags and collars, microchips are inserted under your pet’s skin and, therefore, cannot break or fall off.
• Proof of ownership: If your pet is stolen or lost, information on the microchip helps identify you as the rightful owner. Microchips are especially useful in resolving ownership disputes.
• Increased likelihood of reuniting with your pet: Studies indicate that microchipped cats are 20 times more likely to be returned to their owners. Similarly, microchipped lost dogs are 2.5 times likely to be found compared to dogs without microchips.

Pet Care in Clifton, NJ 

Would your pet to have permanent identification in Clifton, NJ? The veterinary professionals at Valley Animal Hospital are ready to assist you. For more information on microchipping or to schedule an appointment with our veterinarian, call us at (973) 509-5225.