August 15th is National Check The Chip Day — a day to check on your pets’ microchips and make sure they’re not only working, but that all your contact information is up-to-date. Microchips are extremely important for keeping your pets safe. Many lost dogs and cats reunite with their pet parents thanks solely to their chips.
Petfinder has cited a study from the American Veterinary Medical Association that claims only 22 percent of lost dogs who enter shelters are reunited with their humans. However, that percentage jumped up to over 52 percent for dogs who had microchips.
By making sure your pet’s chip has the most current info, you’ll give them a much better chance at getting home if they ever get lost. Here’s how you check the chip:
- If you know the manufacturer of your pet’s microchip and you have their specific microchip ID number, you can contact the manufacturer and make sure your info in their database is current.
- If you don’t know the manufacturer, but you have the microchip ID number, you can use it to search the American Animal Hospital Association’s microchip lookup tool. This can provide you with the name of the manufacturer so you can contact them.
- And finally, if you don’t know your pet’s microchip ID number or the manufacturer, you can stop in at your veterinarian’s office. They’ll be able to read your pet’s chip and give you more information.
Have you checked your cat or dog’s microchip information to make sure it’s current? Awesome! Now spread the word for National Check The Chip Day!
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