A missing dog or cat can be a terrifying feeling for pet owners. The best chance for owners to be reunited with a missing pet is for him or her to have a microchip that a veterinarian or shelter can scan. Using implant technology and a national data base with pet owner information, this easy and safe procedure offers peace of mind where removable collars and tags fall short. Industry figures claim that 8,000 pets everyday are located and returned home because they have a microchip.
The microchip itself is about the size of a grain of rice. It contains a tiny metallic "bar code" surrounded by an inert membrane which makes it non-reactive when it is placed under the skin. The microchip is injected under the skin between the shoulder blades with a hypodermic - type syringe. Although the needle itself is larger than those used for vaccinations, most pets don't seem to notice any more than any other injection. Once the chip is in place, it should be there for the life of the pet.
Don't forget to register your pet's microchip they received at Anderson's Corner Animal Hospital with Pet Link!