Microchipping your pet: pain-free, worry-free
What is microchipping?
Microchipping is a step which you can take to assure that should your pet get loose out into the wild, you two can be reunited. It can be done with a variety of animals, including horses, dogs, cats, ferrets, and most other mammals.
It is a process that involves a grain-sized microchip placed under the skin of the pet. Should your pet get picked up by a local vet or shelter, the unique number can be used to identify you as the owner and provide contact information. The more chances of pet reunification, the less homeless animals roam the streets and bide their time in shelters. What the chip does not do is act as a GPS-tracker to specifically locate your pet.
The most important step— registration!
Once the chip is in place, you’re probably thinking—all set! My work here is done. Not quite. Due to privacy-protecting protocols, microchip companies require the owner to personally register their pet’s microchip and input their personal contact information into a password-protected portal. This assures not just anyone can get ahold of your pet. You might be thinking the facility that has scanned your pet now has all of your information, but fear not.
Privacy-protecting protocols
Your privacy is protected through the microchipping company, which acts as your middleman. For example, when the vet scans your pet, they will receive a unique identification number that they will share with the microchip service when declaring a found pet. The microchip service will then reference the number in their database and reach out to you with the details of where your pet is and how to get ahold of the vet. This assures that your private information is not being shared with third parties.
Effectiveness of microchipping
Involving over 7,700 stray pets, the number of non-microchipped dogs that were safely returned to their owners was just under 22%. Whereas, dogs with implanted microchips have a 51.2% chance of being reunited with their owners.
Pain-free, worry free
A Datamars Microfindr microchip is the size of a grain of rice which contains a radio transmitter and a minute electronic device containing the animal’s ID number. It is placed between the shoulder blades of your pet. Think of the pain level similar to an injection or vaccine. Microchipping takes mere seconds and does not require putting your pet under any anesthesia.
Because microchips use radio-frequency identification technology, microchips do not require a power source like a GPS. When a microchip scanner is passed over the pet, the microchip gets enough power from the scanner to transmit the microchip’s ID number. Since there’s no battery and no moving parts, there’s nothing to keep charged, wear out, or replace. The microchip will last your pet’s lifetime.
PetLink at River Landings Animal Clinic
PetLink is the service we use here at River Landings Animal Clinic. This service, in particular, offers lifetime registration and no update fees. The service is available to you 24/7/365. Give us a call to schedule a chance to micro chip your pet today.
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Hurricane Season Preparedness
The summer months are known to be when natural disasters hit here in Florida. Are you prepared for a hurricane or tornado for not just yourself, but also your pet.
Printable Disaster Supply Kit Checklist
Preparation Tips:
Plan in advance if you live in an evacuation area (Manatee county residents check here).
Write down your plan or create a checklist. Share this information with a friend / family member or have a back up plan that includes a friend / family member outside of an evacuation zone.
Remember to take your pet with you when you evacuate.
Know your evacuation route (Manatee county residents check route here).
Make sure you have proper identification and up-to-date immunization + rabies vaccination records for your pet (copied and placed in a protective sleeve to avoid water damage is advised).
Make sure you have a collar and leash for keeping your pet under control.
Keep a separate carrier for each pet that they can sit and turn around in, the carrier should also be labeled with identification (taping the aforementioned identification in a protective sleeve to the crate keeps everything in one place).
Pack supplies for your pet including vet records, a two week supply of food and water, medications with instructions, bowls (consider these collapsible types), toy and blanket, cat litter/pan, plastic bags, collar/leash, disinfectants for pet washes, and a current photo of your pet (printed, not on your phone).
if you must use a kennel, make sure it is not in an evacuation zone (River Landings Animal Clinic is not in an evacuation zone). A kennel option is only possible if you have proof of vaccinations. If possible, reserve a spot in advance.
After a storm or relocation:
Walk pets on a leash until they become re-oriented with their new home and surroundings. Often familiar places and landmarks may be altered from the weather and pets could easily become lost or confused.
Reptiles may be out and about brought in by flood water and debris. Be aware of the threat they are to you and your pet.
Bring along a picture of your pet for identification.
After a disaster, animals may have a shift in behavior such as aggression or defensiveness. Monitor any changes.
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