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Navigating the bustling streets with a lively dog can be a blend of exhilaration and trepidation. The fear of losing your cherished pet to the whims of their playful chase or the lurking shadows of potential thieves can cast a cloud over your outdoor bonding time. In 2020 alone, a startling rise in dog thefts was observed, with a surge of about 7%. Coupled with this, the daunting statistic reveals that 1 out of 3 dogs will find themselves lost at some point in their lives. In the vast expanse of the United States, an estimated 10 million dogs and cats go missing annually. As a dog owner, these figures can be heart-wrenching. So, what can one do to ensure their furry friend doesn’t become a part of these statistics? Vigilance when outdoors is essential, but for a more enduring peace of mind, understanding how to microchip a dog offers a reliable safety net for your canine companion.
What Is Microchipping?
Microchipping is the latest technology that locates your dog if it is lost or stolen by some criminal. Microchipping is a great way to claim your dog ownership, unlike the tags and collars that are quite easy to remove by any person. Microchips about the size of grain are inserted underneath the dog’s skin.
This microchip is hard to locate after insertion. Every microchip has an ID number that any thief cannot falsify. On the contrary, anybody can manipulate the ID number written on the collar or tag. Only the dog owner can change the ID number after passing stringent security checks.
Benefits of Microchipping Your Dog
Permanent Identification:
Unlike collars and tags that can fall off or be removed, a microchip provides a permanent means of identification. The information embedded within the chip remains consistent throughout the dog’s life.
Increased Recovery Rates:
Studies have shown that lost dogs with microchips have a much higher chance of being reunited with their owners compared to those without.
Global Recognition:
Microchips are recognized internationally. This is particularly beneficial if you travel with your dog or if your pet goes missing in another country.
Reliable Data Storage:
A microchip holds essential information about the dog and its owner. Even if your contact details change, they can be updated without needing to replace the microchip.
Quick and Painless:
The microchipping process is quick, often likened to a routine vaccination. It causes minimal discomfort to the dog and requires no anesthesia.
Durable and Maintenance-Free:
Microchips are designed to last a lifetime. Once implanted, there’s no need for batteries or any maintenance.
Supports Proof of Ownership:
In disputes over dog ownership, a microchip can serve as definitive proof, linking a dog to its registered owner.
Promotes Responsible Pet Ownership:
Getting your dog microchipped demonstrates a commitment to your pet’s safety and well-being.
Affordable Protection: Considering the potential heartache and search efforts if a pet goes missing, the one-time fee for microchipping is a relatively small investment for peace of mind.
Supports Animal Welfare Efforts:
Many rescue organizations and shelters microchip dogs before adoption. This not only aids in reuniting lost pets with their owners but also supports broader initiatives to ensure animal safety and responsible pet management.
Microchipping your dog provides an effective, long-lasting, and secure means of ensuring your pet’s safety. With countless benefits, it’s a small step that can make a significant difference in the life of your furry companion.
Ways to Microchip, a Dog
Microchipping will not hurt the dog. The microchipping process is pretty quick and does not even require anesthetizing the dog. If you plan to get your dog for microchipping, here is what the procedure will look like:
First, you have to bathe the dog because the pet needs to clean. Refrain from microchipping the dog yourself; it is illegal and can have severe consequences. Take the pet to a professional and qualified veterinarian who knows the microchipping process. Next, you have to fill out the registration documents that come with the microchip. This paperwork has information about the dog return process using a microchip when lost or stolen.
Next up, pay the fee and keep a copy of the paperwork with you. Before microchipping, the vet will check the chip’s ID number by reading it over the needle. If everything is fine, the vet will implant the chip through injection. The vet will pull up the skin and inject the chip using the applicator. The vets implant the chip between the shoulder blades of the dog.
After insertion, the vets recheck the chip to ensure it is properly working. If you move somewhere else, make sure to update your information to avoid any confusion later on.
Does Microchipping Affect A Dog’s Health?
You might be wondering about the consequences of microchipping on a dog’s health, but let us tell you, microchipping doesn’t have any prominent health side effects. Hence, it is generally safe. There will be a little stinging at the injection site, but it will improve with time. The process is anesthesia- and surgery-free and takes only a few seconds.
Few dogs will experience inflammation on the site, which, if it doesn’t heal, can lead to cancer development, but the chances are very rare, so you don’t have to worry. Many dogs don’t even feel anything while microchipping. Nevertheless, most veterinarians agree that the benefits of microchipping are far more than the risks.
What is the cost of microchipping a dog?
Veterinarians insert the microchip under the dog’s skin to ensure its safety if someone steals it at some point in life. It is to locate the dog instantly, but mainly for the owner’s peace of mind. The total cost of microchipping is around $45. This cost covers the price of the chip, registration, and the chipping procedure.
If you buy a puppy, you have to microchip it yourself. And if you adopt one from a shelter, the chances are that the dog will already be microchipped. If that’s the case, you are lucky, as you don’t have to go through the hassle yourself. However, make sure to scan the chip before leaving to ensure that it is working fine and the information is correct.
Is microchipping worth it?
Microchipping is great to have if you register it with the database of the national pet recovery center. Prefer using the microchip from the manufacturer, who has access to various microchip databases. And if you think that the microchips and GPS trackers are the same, then you are wrong. They are quite different technologies.
The GPS tracker only helps you locate the dog, while the microchip not only tells the dog’s location but also provides your contact details. This will help the person who found the dog return it to you safely. Skeptical about microchipping your dog? Let us tell you that microchipped dogs have 20 times more chances of reuniting with their owners.
Myths and Misconceptions About Microchipping
It’s a GPS Tracker:
One of the most prevalent myths is that microchips function as GPS trackers. In reality, microchips do not provide real-time location tracking. Instead, they contain a unique identification number that, when scanned, links to the owner’s contact information in a database.
The Procedure is Painful:
Many believe that microchipping is a painful and invasive procedure. However, it’s comparable to a routine vaccination. While the dog may feel a brief pinch, the discomfort is minimal and fleeting.
Microchips Can Move or Fall Out:
Some think that the microchip can travel around the body or fall out. While there is a tiny possibility of a chip migrating, it’s rare, especially when implanted correctly by a professional.
Only Purebred Dogs Need Microchips:
A misconception exists that only purebred or expensive dogs should be microchipped. Every dog, regardless of breed or value, can benefit from the security a microchip offers.
It’s Too Expensive:
Some pet owners believe microchipping is a costly procedure. In reality, it’s a relatively affordable one-time fee, especially when weighed against the peace of mind it provides.
Microchips Cause Health Issues:
Worries about potential health risks, like cancer, from microchipping have been circulated. However, extensive studies have shown no direct link between microchips and adverse health effects in pets.
Once Chipped, You’re Set for Life:
While the microchip itself lasts a lifetime, it’s essential for owners to update their contact information in the associated database if they move or change phone numbers.
All Scanners Can Read All Microchips:
While many microchips conform to international standards, not all scanners can detect all microchips. However, universal scanners are becoming more widespread in veterinary practices and shelters.
Only Dogs Can Be Microchipped:
While our focus here is on dogs, microchipping isn’t exclusive to them. Cats, horses, and even some exotic pets can also be microchipped.
Microchipping Replaces Dog Tags:
While microchips provide an added layer of security, they don’t replace the need for visible identification like dog tags, which can provide immediate contact information without the need for a scanner.
Dispelling these myths and misconceptions about microchipping ensures that pet owners can make informed decisions based on facts, ultimately benefiting the safety and well-being of their pets.
Conclusion
Navigating the intricacies of how to microchip a dog reveals a profound sense of security and relief for countless dog owners. This avant-garde technology mitigates the omnipresent fear of losing one’s canine companion during their outdoor escapades. While the microchip itself is a minuscule device, its impact is colossal, ensuring your dog can be traced regardless of its whereabouts. Implanted seamlessly beneath the skin, this chip provides a permanent identification solution, devoid of the vulnerabilities of traditional collars and tags. The transient, mild discomfort experienced during the procedure is significantly overshadowed by the lifelong peace of mind it affords. With minimal risks and a modest price tag, the benefits of microchipping far outweigh the costs. As you venture outdoors with your furry friend in the future, the anxiety surrounding their safety will be a distant memory, replaced by the assurance that the bond between you and your pet remains unbreakable.
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