Microchip I.D.
The statistics are sobering: if your pet gets lost, and has no permanent identification, your chance of getting reunited with him is less than 10%. If your pet DOES have permanent identification, you have over a 90% chance of getting him back!
Until our pets are able to speak for themselves in a crisis or when they get lost, they all need some kind of permanent identification. Tags can fall off; collars can be lost; tattoos can fade. However, microchips are the one form of permanent identification that is absolutely unique and can't be misplaced.
Microchips are approximately the size of a grain of rice. They are inserted under the pet's skin between the shoulder blades. The pet's owner then registers his pet's information with the national microchip data base. Any time a pet's identity needs to be checked, such as when the pet is brought in to an animal shelter, the pet is checked for a microchip with a microchip scanner. The chip i.d. number displays on the scanner. The pet's identity, and owner information, can then be obtained by calling the toll-free number to the microchip national data base.
Windmill Animal Hospital highly recommends all pets receive a microchip. We utilize the Home Again Microchip. Schering, the company who makes Home Again Microchips, has supplied all licensed humane organizations and city shelters with scanners. In the year 2001 alone, over 100,000 pets were safely reunited with their owners through their microchip information. To insure your pet's comfort during the procedure, we utilize a local anesthetic before placing the chip. Alternatively, the chip can be implanted during a routine anesthetic procedure, such as during your pet's spay or neuter.
For your pet's sake, get him microchipped as soon as possible! Call us for details!