Wednesday, January 28, 2009

Lost Dog! Part 2

Lost Dog - Be Prepared - Part 2

This is Part 2 to our series on how to be prepared for if your dog gets lost. We never plan on our dog getting lost. We think that it might not happen to our dog. But it does happen and it may happen to your dog. The following series will help you be prepared in such an emergency.

Microchipping - Microchips are an excellent back-up indentification system. A microchip is about the size of a grain of rice and is placed under the skin between the shoulder blades of the animal. It gives off a low frequency radio signal that can be read by a scanner. Make sure that your pet gets a widely used microchip that can be read by a "Universal" scanner. If your pet gets lost and for some reason the collar w/tags broke off, got stuck on a branch, etc, the microchip will be able to identify the pet as yours. Most vets and rescues/shelters have scanners.

When choosing a microchip, ask about registration fees. Some chips require an annual fee in order for them to keep your records. The Harbor Humane Society microchips pets and the pet is registered to HHS who keeps your information on hand. This way, if you need to change your info, you do it with HHS and there is no fee. There is also no initial registration fee with HHS's chips. See below for future Chipping Clinics at Must Love Dogs!

Homework - If your dog is already microchipped, your homework is to make sure that the information linked to your microchip is accurate. If you've lost all records of microchip, you can have your vet scan your pet and they can tell you which manufacturer it is with. They can also most likely provide you with a phone number. Then verify/update information with manufacturer.

If your pet does NOT have a microchip, then your homework is to get your pet chipped! Your vet mostly likely can microchip your pet and Harbor Humane Society also microchips pets (or your local animal shelter). The injecting of the chip is slightly painful to some dogs and others don't even flinch. Don't think you're doing your dog any favors by NOT getting them chipped. The pain (if any) lasts for only seconds when the benefits of the chip will last the life of the pet. SOOOO Worth it!

Stay tuned for Part 3!

MICROCHIPPING CLINICS AT MUST LOVE DOGS BOUTIQUE & SPA BY HARBOR HUMANE SOCIETY!!!


February 21st - 12pm to 4pm
March 14th - 12pm to 4pm
April 18th - 12pm to 4pm

ONLY $20

Mark it in your calendar today!

1 comment:

  1. I found you on Craigslist! Thanks for posting. Great information.

    ReplyDelete