Discussing The Importance Of Microchipping Pets And The Holiday That Promotes It
August 15th is no ordinary day of the month. It is widely celebrated by pet owners everywhere as Check The Chip Day! Check The Chip Day is a very important pet-themed holiday that aims to raise awareness about the importance of pet microchipping and keeping pet microchips up-to-date. This article will go over everything you need to know about Check The Chip Day including what pet microchips are, why they’re so important, and how to observe this wonderful holiday.
What Is A Pet Microchip?
When it comes to pet technology, few things are more innovative than the pet microchip. A pet microchip is a rice-sized radio frequency identification device (R.F.I.D.). It is permanently inserted underneath the skin of your pet, usually along the pet’s spine and between the shoulder blades.
The microchip can then be scanned by a veterinarian, animal hospital, or animal shelter which will transmit a unique I.D. number. This unique I.D. number corresponds to valuable information including the identity of the pet, the identity of the owner, and their contact information. Unlike tags and collars that can be lost or removed, these microchips are permanent and will always be there to help properly identify the pet.
Why Are They So Important?
The American Humane Society reports that an average of one out of three pets will become lost or stolen within their lifetime. The idea of your pet becoming lost forever is both tragic and scary. However, it can be prevented through pet microchipping. Even with fenced-in yards and invisible fences, pets still manage to escape sometimes. Having your pets microchipped can make all the difference when it comes to them being found and returned.
As previously mentioned, collars with I.D. tags can be removed or lost fairly easily. Without proper I.D. tags, it can be very difficult to determine where a lost pet came from and how to return them. However, with pet microchips, your pets can be easily identified by an animal shelter or animal hospital. This dramatically increases the odds of your lost dog or cat being returned to you safely.
The Meaning Behind The Holiday
According to Lost Pet Research & Recovery, around 10 million pets go missing every year. Statistically speaking, the return to owner (RTO) rate for dogs is between 10 to 30%. The RTO rate for cats is between 1.5% and 4.5%. These numbers are shockingly low and exemplify how dangerous it is for pets to go missing.
When missing pets are found, they are usually taken to a local animal shelter. Without a pet microchip, most shelters can’t readily identify someone’s pet. This leads to many people’s missing pets ending up in shelters, but never being returned to their owners.
The aim of Check The Chip Day is to promote and raise awareness about the effectiveness and usefulness of pet microchips. Having your pet microchipped will dramatically increase the odds of having your missing pets returned to you safely.
How You Can Get Involved
One of the best ways to observe Check The Chip Day this August 15th is to have your pets microchipped. Pet microchipping is a valuable preventative measure that can potentially save your pets life. Additionally, you can also get involved with Check The Chip Day by spreading the word about it! Be sure to share this article with fellow pet lovers and post about Check The Chip Day on social media.
Hire A Pet Sitter Today!
We hope you found this article informative and that it gives you a better understanding of pet microchips and how useful they are. If you or someone you know is looking for a pet sitter or dog walker, then look no further than My Dog Walker & Pet Sitting. We are fully insured & bonded and have over 10 years of experience working with animals. We offer a variety of pet sitting services including in-home pet sitting and routine dog walking.
My Dog Walker & Pet Sitting currently services the Medford, Medford Lakes, Shamong, and Tabernacle, NJ areas. Click here to check out our services. To become a client, click here or give us a call at 856-217-2781. We hope to hear from you soon and happy Check The Chip Day!