Microchipping
Veterinary clinics and animal shelters have found that, with the help of microchip identification, a pet that is lost can be shown the way home. The case for having pets implanted with a microchip is a strong one, as the statistics show that microchipping is the best, most reliable method of permanently identifying pets.
At Wickham Animal Hospital & Boarding, we utilize HomeAgain Pet Microchips. There is a one time registration fee, after which your pet will remain in their system indefinitely. You may update your contact information and input that of another friend/family member at any time without charge. Please be aware that not all microchips are created equal. Some require a special scanner to be read, which most shelters cannot afford. Many of these companies also either charge an annual fee to keep your pet "active" or charge a fee for you you change your contact information.
For more information about the HomeAgain Pet Recovery Service, please visit http://www.HomeAgainID.com
- We know that 30-60% of lost pets that are placed in shelters are euthanized because they cannot be identified and returned to their owner. Only about 14% of dogs and 4% of cats who end up in shelters are returned to their rightful owners. Less than 25% of all animals that enter shelters are adopted by new owners. Unfortunately, collar tags are a great way to identify lost pets and reunite them with their owners, but they can easily come off or be removed. Tattoos are a difficult to remove from an animal, but they are still not 100% reliable. Tattoos can be altered, fade, or blur, and are not always easy to read. Reading a microchip is far easier than trying to read the tattoo of a frightened stray animal. Microchipping is permanent, completely unalterable, and does not change or harm the appearance of the animal in any way. The procedure is safe, inexpensive, fast, and virtually painless for the animal. There are about 50,000 microchip scanners currently in use by shelters, veterinarians, and municipal organizations in the U.S.
At Wickham Animal Hospital & Boarding, we utilize HomeAgain Pet Microchips. There is a one time registration fee, after which your pet will remain in their system indefinitely. You may update your contact information and input that of another friend/family member at any time without charge. Please be aware that not all microchips are created equal. Some require a special scanner to be read, which most shelters cannot afford. Many of these companies also either charge an annual fee to keep your pet "active" or charge a fee for you you change your contact information.
For more information about the HomeAgain Pet Recovery Service, please visit http://www.HomeAgainID.com
A microchip is a permanent identification for your pet that is implanted under the skin between the shoulder blades. Microchips emit a radio frequency when scanned and each has a unique identification number.
Veterinary hospitals, shelters, animal control agencies, and others have scanners that are able to read the numbers when a pet is scanned. When a microchip is found it is called in to a national database where the owner can be located if the chip has been registered.
A microchip is about the size of a grain of rice (approximately 12mm), the microchip is so small it usually cannot be seen in your pet once it has been implanted. Thanks to this small size, the actual implantation of the microchip is quite easy. A veterinarian simply injects it beneath the surface of the skin between the shoulder blades. The process takes only a few seconds, is virtually painless, and requires no special treatment or anesthetic.
The HomeAgain microchip has no batteries or internal energy source so it will last the life of your pet. After implantation, the microchip remains inactive until it is read with a scanner – the low radio frequency emitted by the scanner provides the microchip with the power necessary to transmit its unique code and positively identify the animal.
Veterinary hospitals, shelters, animal control agencies, and others have scanners that are able to read the numbers when a pet is scanned. When a microchip is found it is called in to a national database where the owner can be located if the chip has been registered.
A microchip is about the size of a grain of rice (approximately 12mm), the microchip is so small it usually cannot be seen in your pet once it has been implanted. Thanks to this small size, the actual implantation of the microchip is quite easy. A veterinarian simply injects it beneath the surface of the skin between the shoulder blades. The process takes only a few seconds, is virtually painless, and requires no special treatment or anesthetic.
The HomeAgain microchip has no batteries or internal energy source so it will last the life of your pet. After implantation, the microchip remains inactive until it is read with a scanner – the low radio frequency emitted by the scanner provides the microchip with the power necessary to transmit its unique code and positively identify the animal.
