Microchipping

A scary fact that many pet owners either worry about or avoid thinking about is the possibility that a pet could run away or escape and get lost. Reports estimate that 1 out of 3 pets will go missing and never be returned home.

It is very common for veterinary clinics and shelters to receive animals brought in with no form of ID. Tags and collars come off (NEVER use a collar on your pet that has no safety release, as this is a choking hazard). Tattoos are only identifiable to those who put it on the pet. Pets can travel miles in just a few hours, especially if they are scared. We live in an area frequently affected by tornadoes, that can create chaos and cause lost pets to wander hundreds of miles from home.

Microchipping is the only effective permanent identification and is a service that we offer here at Buck Lake Animal Hospital. The chip itself is the size of a grain of rice; it is implanted by injection (similar to a vaccination) under the skin between the shoulder blades. The chip is made of an inert, biocompatible material that will not disintegrate, rust or cause an allergic reaction, and will last the life or your pet. The chip has no power source; it is activated by a short radio wave that can be read by a scanner. Each chip has a unique code that can be tracked back to your registered information and the facility or clinic that implanted the chip. Just make sure that you keep the registered information updated should you happen to move or change your contact information.