Sure, microchips can feel like Big Brother is watching.
But if your dog or cat has a chip, they’re four times more likely to make it home if they get lost.
Just ask the Crandall family. They were reunited with their beloved dog, Minion — after 12 years!
It's a heartwarming tale illustrating the unbreakable bond between humans and their companion animals, as well as the importance of microchipping.
Minion's story began when the Crandall family adopted him at the age of three. In 2011, Minion and the other family dog got out when a gate was accidentally left open. The other dog eventually returned home, but Minion did not. Fast-forward to today.
Against all odds, and thanks to his microchip, Minion was found.
Kim Powell, who works with Maricopa County Animal Care and Control, where Minion was found, explains that reunions like these are rare. “It doesn’t happen as often as we would like. Most of the dogs you see in the shelter came in as a stray pet, and less than 20% of them have a microchip.”
More than just a pet, your dog is a much-loved part of your family, so of course you want
to ensure their safety. While collars and tags have long been the traditional way to identify a lost animal, they’re not foolproof. Collars can break, and tags can become unreadable or lost. Microchipping provides an additional, more reliable method of reuniting lost companion animals with their families.
For the uninitiated, microchipping — implanting a small electronic chip about the size of a grain of rice under your companion animal's skin — is a simple, relatively inexpensive yet effective tool. Each chip carries a unique identification number, crucial for reuniting lost pets with their families.
In the dreaded event that your dog or cat goes missing, a microchip provides that extra layer of protection that could make the difference. Considering the peace of mind it brings, microchipping is a worthwhile investment.
Why is Microchipping Important?
Permanent Identification
Unlike tags and collars, microchips are permanent. They can't be lost, damaged, or removed easily. They last for the lifetime of your companion animal, providing a reliable identification method that can help you recover your lost animal.
Quick Reunion
When a lost companion animal is found and taken to a vet or shelter, one of the first things done is to scan for a microchip. If your companion animal is chipped, you could be reunited within hours, rather than days or weeks or possibly not at all.
Medical Emergencies
In some instances, a companion animal may be found injured. With a microchip, the vet can quickly identify and contact the companion animal's guardian to make crucial medical decisions in a timely manner.
Proof of Guardianship
Microchips provide undeniable proof of guardianship in the case of theft or disputes. This could be vital for legal cases or in situations where multiple parties claim guardianship of the companion animal.
Common Misconceptions
"My Companion Animal Never Leaves the House"
Even the most indoor of indoor cats can sometimes venture outside by accident. With a microchip, the chances of reuniting with your companion animal are significantly increased.
"My Companion Animal Doesn't Like the Vet"
The process of implanting a microchip is relatively quick and as painless as a regular vaccination. Most animals barely notice it.
"It's Too Expensive"
The cost of a microchip is often no more than a routine vet visit and is a one-time fee. In contrast, the emotional cost of losing a companion animal can be devastating.
"Microchips cause cancer"
Although there have been scientific studies conducted in which mice and rats developed cancerous tumors, it is important to note that these animals were also being used in other inhumane cancer-related studies, and are also biologically far more susceptible to developing cancer than dogs and cats. The likelihood of a dog or cat developing cancer from a microchip is extremely low, whereas the likelihood of losing them forever without a microchip is much higher. According to the American Veterinary Medical Association, there has been no proven causal link between microchips and cancer in dogs and cats.
How to Get Your Companion Animal Microchipped
Getting your companion animal microchipped is a straightforward process. Your veterinarian can do it during a regular check-up. The procedure is quick and usually pain-free, similar to a vaccination shot. Once the chip is implanted, you'll need to register your information in the microchip database. Remember to update your details if you move or change your contact information.
Microchipping: a Life-Saving Invention!
The bottom line is that microchipping offers a highly effective, relatively inexpensive, and safe way to keep your companion animal safe. In the dreaded event that your beloved companion animal goes missing, a microchip provides that extra layer of protection that could make all the difference in reuniting you with your dog or cat.
But what about stray dogs and cats? They are lost for life.
It’s heartbreaking to think about all of the stray dogs and cats who will never know the love and care Minion has been given. That’s why 600 Million Dogs is working to address the suffering of stray animals right at the source of the issue.
Our nonprofit, science-centered mission is to end the #1 cause of suffering and death for dogs and cats worldwide — overpopulation — by developing a one-dose Cookie that, when completed, will spay or neuter a stray, without surgery!
Every dog and cat deserves the chance to have a family who loves them enough to make sure they never go missing.
Together, let's create a future where every dog and cat has the chance to be loved, cherished, and never lost. For as little as $1 a month, you can help us stop the suffering … before it starts. It’s less than a cup of coffee and will help save millions of lives!
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