June 13th
Why You Should Microchip Your Pet

Maple, a four-month-old Golden Retriever puppy, is coming into our shelter today for her microchip. Our vet staff met her at the side entrance to bring her in for this quick procedure.

Maple was all tail wags as she trotted down the halls of the centre and to the clinic. She was scooped up and placed on the table, and the medical staff began the routine procedure. They first used the scanner to ensure Maple didn’t already have a chip. Then they prepped the implant. This is a two-person job. One medical staff member implants the chip while the other - with the most important job of all - supplies delicious cookies to the pup. Distraction level: 100! The entire procedure was finished in minutes, and Maple didn’t stop wagging her tail once. She didn’t flinch or seem to even notice anything had happened, which is usually the case for most pets. After munching a couple of extra tasty treats, Maple is gently lifted off the table and taken back to her awaiting owners.

So why doesn’t everyone have their pet microchipped? Perhaps many don’t realize just how quick and painless this procedure is.

Or maybe it’s simply never crossed their mind. Let’s take a look at some quick facts about microchipping and why it’s so important.

STATISTICS

Around 10 million pets go missing in North America every year. Having your pet microchipped greatly increases the likelihood of you being reunited with your pet. Only 22% of lost dogs who enter the shelter system are reunited with their owners. This is increased to 52% when the dog is microchipped. The chances of a cat being reunited with its owner are drastically lower. Only 2% of lost cats who enter the shelter system are returned home. However, microchipped cats have a 38% chance of being reunited with their owner. It’s important to remember to register your pet’s chip with your contact information and be sure to update it if anything changes. This will ensure the greatest chance your pet has of returning home.

DOES IT HURT?

This may be a pet owner’s greatest concern when considering microchipping. Pets are all unique, and some may react differently than others when it comes time to microchipping, but it is generally a very quick and painless procedure. The microchip itself is smaller than a grain of rice and is inserted with a syringe which is just slightly larger than your pet’s typical vaccination syringes. You can watch Maple’s microchipping video here to see just how quick and easy the procedure is.

BENEFITS

Microchipping provides pet owners with peace of mind. While you should always make sure your pet has a collar and ID tag on when they go outside, having a microchip is an added safety precaution just in case your pet is found without their ID tags. Every veterinarian office, humane society, and animal services provider is equipped with a universal microchip scanner. As long as your information is accurate and up-to-date, you’ll be the first one notified once your pet is scanned for a microchip.

Microchipping clinics are held weekly at both the Kitchener-Waterloo and Stratford locations. Call or email to book your pet’s appointment!