Should I have my pet microchipped even if it is not show quality?

Yes!! Microchipping is one of the few absolutely reliable ways of identifying your pet, and proving he is yours. In the year 2018 alone, microchips insured the safe return of over 100,000 lost pets to their owners, preventing thousands of needless euthanasias.

The microchip itself is only the size of a grain of rice, so causes no discomfort for the pet or annoying "lump" for the owner to feel when caressing the pet. The microchip is placed under the skin between the shoulder blades, using a local anesthetic during a routine office visit, or can be placed while the pet is under anesthesia for other reasons. The microchip is then registered with the AKC, who administers the data base.

All human societies, pet shelters, and local pounds have been provided with the chip scanners. When lost pets are brought in, they are scanned by shelter personnel. If a pet is chipped, the shelter calls the 800 number to get the information on who the pet belongs to, and calls the owner. Happy ending! We strongly recommend to all our clients that their pets get microchipped by one of the Windmill Animal Hospital doctors.