Cat and Dog Microchipping in Pasadena, TX
Did you know that more 10 million dogs and cats are lost or stolen in the United States every year, according to the American Humane Association? This equates to 1 in every 3 pets, and sadly, not every lost pet is returned to its owner. The good news is, with a permanent microchip, you can increase the chances of your pet being returned to you, should he/she ever go missing. Angel Animal Hospital in Pasadena, is proud to offer pet microchipping for our patients.
What Is Pet Microchipping?
Pet microchipping is a simple, inexpensive procedure in which a tiny device called a microchip is implanted just beneath the surface of a pet’s skin using a hypodermic needle. About the size and shape of a grain of rice, each microchip is enclosed in a protective glass cylinder and includes a unique ID number code. This code can be scanned and linked to the owner’s contact information, which is stored in a database, allowing the pet finder to contact the owner. Most animal hospitals and shelters are equipped with a microchip scanner. Contrary to common belief, a microchip does not have GPS capabilities and cannot track a pet’s whereabouts. The only way it can work to help find a lost pet is if it’s scanned.
Why Should I Have My Cat and Dog Microchipped?
The odds of finding a lost pet are greatly increased if that pet has been implanted with a microchip. In fact, according to a study published in the Journal of the American Veterinary Medical Association, less than 2% of cats without microchips are ever returned home. The return-to-home rate for microchipped cats, however, is 38%. About 22% of dogs that weren’t microchipped were reunited with their owners, while microchipped dogs had a return-to-home rate of 52%. Although an ID tag on a collar should be the minimum method of identification, it can fall off or be indecipherable if the engraving is excessively scratched. Microchips, on the other hand, are permanent, since they are placed beneath the skin.
For more information on pet microchipping and to schedule an appointment for the procedure microchipped at the Angel Animal Hospital in Pasadena, feel free to contact us.