How many pets are lost and don’t have a microchip?
Did you know that most animal shelters are usually the busiest July 5th-6th?
Want to know what the correlation is with this phenomenon?
Fireworks.
Fireworks can scare the living daylights out of dogs and cats (and wildlife). The loud noises and bright lights can lead your pet to escaping their home, yard or enclosure by whatever means necessary. Dogs can break through glass windows and out of dog crates. Cats may find an open door and run away.
Lost Pets Can Be Found with the Help of a Microchip
How many of these escapees get to return home?
Unfortunately, some pet parents never find their pets. One good way to help ensure a reunion is with a microchip.
According to PetAmberAlert’s website, ‘Animal control officials across the country report a 30% increase in lost pets each year between July 4th and 6th’. That’s a tragedy. It puts a hardship on the shelter workers, the pets and the pet parents.
Escaped Pets May Get Medical Injuries
This influx in animals means more resources are used to house and feed them. Should any require medical care hopefully they land in a shelter that DOES help with medical issues – some don’t. Rural and county shelters often don’t have the funds and budgets to address medical needs of stray animals. And that means your injured pet may suffer.
July 4th comes every year – now is the time to get your pet microchipped. Microchipping isn’t just for this time of year, it will help 365 days a year if your pet ever gets away from you. All someone has to do that finds a stray dog or cat is take it to a veterinarian and ask if they can scan it.
Most if not all vets will do this free of charge. And while you’re there with that pet they may be able to help you make a flyer or take a picture to show people that may call or stop in looking for their pet.
Here’s a feel good story about a dog reunion in Scotland, brought about by a microchip and a man taking the dog into the vet for a scan. Fern was missing for 6 years but her family never gave up their search for her!
Microchipped pets are 2.5 times more likely to be returned home according to PetVet Clinic.
Most veterinarians offer microchipping services and many cities have low-cost vet clinics where chipping can be done. In Muncie, New Castle and Anderson you can get your pet microchipped for around $19 at the PetVet Clinics at Tractor Supply. To find a clinic and dates and times for services, click here.
Helping your pet stay safe,
Kelley Stewart | President & Founder
sit-stay-play In-home pet sitting & more.inc
“Your pet sitting, dog walking, poop scooping specialists!”
P.S. Have you booked your summer pet sitting visits yet? Get your reservations in soon!
