Chicago Veterinary Medical Association raises awareness of benefits regarding “chipping” pets
May is recognized as “Microchip Your Pet Month”, a campaign aimed at raising awareness about the importance of microchipping pets for their safety and well-being. Chicago Veterinary Medical Association (CVMA) reminds pet owners that microchipping your pet helps increase the odds of a reunion in the unfortunate event that a pet is lost or stolen.
“Springtime often brings about more outdoor activities, which can unfortunately increase the chances of pets becoming separated from their owners.” explained Ray McGury, CVMA Executive Director. “Knowing that your pet has a microchip can provide peace of mind in case they ever become lost or separated from you. It’s an extra layer of protection for your beloved pet.”
Microchipping services can be performed by most veterinary clinics, and offers several benefits for pets and their owners:
- Owners and pets being reunited more quickly
- Microchips can have a long life (up to 25 years), which means that most pets need to be chipped only once
- The chip cannot get lost or be removed like a collar or tag
- Microchip information is entered into a nationwide database, which means that vacationing pets or those who have recently moved can be scanned easily
“Microchipping is a quick and relatively painless procedure for pets. The microchip itself is typically about the size of a grain of rice, and it’s implanted just beneath your pet’s skin,” explained Dr. Marina Jaworsky, CVMA Board President. “Keeping microchip information up to date is crucial. If a pet owner’s contact information changes, such as a new phone number or address, it’s essential to update this information with the microchip registry as soon as possible. By taking the necessary steps to maintain your pet’s microchip information, you can significantly increase the likelihood of a happy reunion if your furry friend ever goes missing.”
Owners considering chipping their pets should be aware of three key considerations:
- It is important to understand that a microchip is not a GPS and cannot help in locating a lost pet.
- Some chips require a specific kind of scanner, and although there are universal scanners, not all veterinary clinics have them.
- It is possible for pets to experience minor, temporary swelling at the insertion site.
CVMA encourages pet owners who have not microchipped their pets to contact their local veterinary provider to learn more about the process and to carefully consider the merits of this aspect of pet ownership.