Why Microchipping Matters

August 15th is National Check the Chip Day! We want to remind you not only how important it is to microchip your pets, but also how vital it is to keep their microchip registered with up-to-date information. Sadly, only 6 in 10 microchips are registered, an oversight that can prevent lost pets from returning home to their families.

Microchipping your pets can significantly increase your chances of being reunited with them. A study published by the Journal of the AVMA revealed that only 22 percent of lost dogs entering shelters were returned to their families.  That percentage rose to more than 52 percent when a dog was microchipped. Even better results were achieved in the feline population. Only one in 50 cats in animal shelters was returned to their owners, but when microchipped, nearly two out of five cats were reunited with their families.

Steps Pet Owners Should Take:

• • • If your pet isn’t already microchipped, make an appointment with your veterinarian for microchipping, or stop by Napa Humane’s drop-in clinic, held every Friday from 9:30 a.m. to 1:00 p.m.
    • Register your pet’s chip immediately with the manufacturer, ensuring all your contact information is included.
    • Ask your veterinarian to scan the microchip during your pet’s annual wellness exam every year.
    • Each year on Check the Chip Day (August 15), check your pet’s microchip registration information and update it if it’s incomplete or no longer correct. Set a reminder in your calendar today!

Updating Your Pet’s Microchip Registration:

To update your pet’s registration, you’ll need your pet’s microchip number. If you haven’t already created an account with the manufacturer, you’ll need to do that as well. Ensure all information is correct, especially your phone number(s) and address.

While there are many databases that allow you to register your pet’s microchip, the one that truly counts—the one animal shelters and veterinarians will search—is the database maintained by the manufacturer of your pet’s microchip. You can quickly search the registries of most microchip manufacturers using this universal lookup tool.

Microchipping your pet and keeping their microchip up to date is a vital step to ensure your pet will be reunited with you should they go missing!