The third week of April is designated as National Pet ID Week. If your furry friend does not currently have proper identification, please make it a priority. An estimated 1 out of 3 pets will go missing at some point during his lifetime. These occurrences are scary and dangerous for the pet and heartbreaking for the people who love them.
Luckily, you can protect your pet and give yourself some peace of mind by ensuring that your pal is properly identified. One way to accomplish this is with collar tags that can be engraved in machines while you wait. But while this method is definitely better than no ID at all, it isn’t completely effective because the tags can get caught on fencing or bushes, or, even worse, pet thieves will simply discard the tags. The most effective way to ID your pet pal is with a microchip. These tiny devices (about the size of a grain of rice) are implanted just beneath the surface of your pet’s skin, and hold a special number assigned exclusively to him. This number corresponds with a registry that contains your name and contact information. Animal advocates like veterinary clinics and shelters, even some law enforcement, have the necessary hardware to read microchips and can set the wheels in motion to get your lost furry friend back to you. Microchips also last for around 25 years, which covers the lifespan of most dogs and cats.
Hopefully your bundle of fur never gets lost, but if he does, increase the chances of a happy reunion by ensuring he is properly identified!