As summer arrives and outdoor activities increase, pets are spending more time outside, which raises the risk of them getting lost. In this context, Best Friends Animal Society is urging action during National Microchip Month, a campaign aimed at raising awareness among pet owners about the importance of microchipping their animals to improve their chances of returning home if they become lost.
According to data provided by the organization, approximately 10 million pets are lost every year in the United States. This means that one in three pets will become lost at some point in their lives, and sadly, many of them are never reunited with their owners. A microchip, therefore, becomes a crucial tool to increase the likelihood of a reunion.
The microchip is a small electronic device, about the size of a grain of rice, that is implanted under the animal’s skin. This device contains a unique identification number that, when scanned, provides access to the owner’s contact information through a database. Veterinary clinics, shelters, and some police stations are equipped with universal scanners that read these microchips, generally at no cost to the pet owner.
The implantation process is quick, safe, and does not require anesthesia. Similar to a vaccination, it is performed under the skin between the animal’s shoulder blades. Many veterinary clinics and shelters offer this service at affordable prices, and there are community events where microchips are provided for free or at a low cost.
While the microchip is an important step, Best Friends Animal Society emphasizes the importance of complementing this measure with an updated ID tag on the pet’s collar. This ensures that if someone finds the pet but does not have access to a microchip reader, they can still easily contact the owner.
The organization encourages pet owners not to wait until the worst happens. With preventive measures like microchipping, the chances of a lost pet returning home increase significantly.
