If your dog as ever left home by accident, you know the feelings
of worry and loss. By reading the following article you will
realize the importance of microchipping your pooch. The feeling
of security that your best friend will be return to you will
take some of the worrry and fretting out of the picture.
Microchipping has a 100 percent success rate. Microchip your
pooch today, and give yourself the security that you are
providing the best way for your pooch to be returned to your
loving home.

Each year, more than 10 million pets are lost. It can easily
happen, no matter how much we all try to prevent it. When your
pet is lost and if they do not have a collar or their collar
gets lost, it can be very difficult for them to find their way
home. According to the American Humane Association, only about
17% of lost dogs and 2% of lost cats ever find their owners.
Nearly 20 million pets are euthanized each year because their
owners cannot be located. If your pet is microchipped, there is
a much greater chance that they will return to you safely.
Microchips will last for your pet’s lifetime as there are no
moving parts and nothing to replace.

A microchip is a small computer chip that has an identification
number programmed into it. It is small enough to fit into a
hypodermic needle. Once implanted, the I.D. number cannot be
altered or removed. Once the chip is implanted, a layer of
connective tissue forms around the chip preventing it from
moving about.

Some people are hesitant to microchip their pet because they are
afraid it will hurt. The procedure is simple, routine, and
painless, and it doesn't require any anesthesia. Your pet simply
gets an injection just under the loose skin between the shoulder
blades; it's a lot like getting vaccinated. Most animals don't
react at all. Long term studies have shown that the microchip is
very safe for your pets.

The chip contains an identification code that is unique to your
pet. Most veterinarians and animal shelters have scanners that
can read that identification code. Most use universal scanners
that will read all brands of microchips.

There are two major manufacturers of microchips. One of the
most popular is the AVID (American Veterinary Identification
Devices) microchip. When you get an AVID microchip implanted in
your dog, you will register with PETrac. Your veterinarian will
have the application information to send in to PETrac. If you
do not receive this information, or if your information such as
address, phone number, or veterinarian changes, you may call
PETrac directly at (800) 336-2843 to make the appropriate
changes. Your dog will also receive a tag for his collar with
his AVID microchip number prominently displayed. When your lost
pet is found, they will be scanned and the information will be
called in to PETrac. Their database will bring up your
information and you will be notified immediately.

Another popular brand of microchip is the Schering-Plough
HomeAgain microchip. Once your pet is microchipped with the
Schering-Plough HomeAgain microchip, you will register with the
American Kennel Club (AKC) Companion Animal Recovery (CAR)
program. This program maintains a national database and is
available 24 hours a day, 365 days a year. Just as with AVID’s
PETrac system, when your lost pet is found, they will be
scanned, the number will be called into the AKC-CAR
(1-800-252-7894) and you will be notified immediately. A
microchip provides permanent identification unlike tags alone.
When you register, you provide information to the AKC-CAR - your
contact information, your veterinarian‘s information and an
alternate contact. The program personnel will call the other
numbers if you cannot be reached. Remember to contact the
AKC-CAR if you any of the above information changes.

The system works! More than 1 ½ million pets are enrolled in
the AKC Companion Animal Recovery program and 97% have HomeAgain
microchips. 126,034 lost pets have been reunited with their
owners thanks to this program which has a 100% success rate.
Every found pet in its system has been identified.

The American Society for the prevention of cruelty to animals
(ASPCA) also supports the use of microchip IDs for animal
identification. They feel that it is the most reliable system
for the recovery of lost pets.

Ideally, leashes, fences, and doors would be enough to keep your
pet safe at home, but in the real world, accidents happen, and
your pet depends on you to protect him or her against the things
that could go wrong. With a little effort now, you can take a
big step toward ensuring that your pet will be with you in the
future.

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