The Importance of Microchipping Your Pet

As a pet owner, microchipping your dog is one of the most responsible actions you can take. Sadly, many pets end up at shelters every year because they don't have proper identification on them.

Before stressing the importance of microchipping our dogs, let's first look at what a microchip is and what exactly it does.

A microchip is simply an integrated circuit that's about the size of a grain of rice and is implanted under the skin of your dog, between his shoulders. Basically, a microchip is a permanent way to identify your dog. Every microchip has an identification number, and all of these numbers are stored in a special database. If someone finds your dog and he has a microchip, the identification number will come up when he's scanned. The vet, shelter worker, or whoever scanned your dog will then contact the microchip company to find out your contact information and then your pet will be returned to you.

Unfortunately, many dog owners feel that it's unnecessary to have their pet microchipped. The three main reasons they give are: (1) it's too expensive, (2) it'll hurt their pet and (3) they don't think it's necessary because their dog already wears a collar with tags.

The three excuses listed above are nothing but myths, and I've further explained why below.

• Getting a dog microchipped is too expensive. - This is not true. Okay, for some people it may be costly, but there are ways to have your dog microchipped for little to nothing. On average, microchips cost $25-$45. This is actually very affordable considering it'll last forever. If this is costly to you, there are many clinics that'll microchip your dog for free or at a huge discount. Many shelters microchip their dogs after they're adopted and the microchip is part of the adoption fee. The peace of mind that you'll get after your dog is microchipped is well worth the cost in my opinion.

• A microchip will hurt my pet. - Most animals don't feel microchips when they're inserted under their skin. If they do feel anything, it'll be a very minor sting and only last a brief second. Very harmless!

• My dog doesn't need a microchip because he wears a collar with tags. - Every dog needs to wear a collar with tags at all times. Even indoor dogs. But what happens if your dog's collar slips off or his tags fall off? There's a good possibility your dog will become lost and you may never see him again. Because of possible situations like this, it never hurts for your dog to have extra identification on him, and microchipping is an effective way to make sure he can be returned to you if he loses his tags.

If you do decide to get your dog microchipped, which I urge each and every one of you to do, it's very important to keep your contact information up-to-date and to inform the microchip company ASAP when your information changes. The microchip isn't effective unless your contact information is correct.

Recently, many pets that had been missing for months, some even years, were reunited with their owners. I love hearing news stories like this. Well, the reason why these happy reunions took place was because all of the pets had been microchipped.

Remember, even if you're an experienced dog owner, there's always a chance your pet could go missing. You just never know when something like this may happen and it's always best to be prepared in case your dog does decide to take his own little journey.

If you haven't done so already, please visit your vet or local animal shelter and have your dog microchipped. Doing so will ensure their safe return should they ever become lost.