Whether you’re a homebody or jet-setter, safety and well-being are always a top priority for pet parents. But what can you really do when you’re away, traveling with pets, or, heaven forbid, your fur baby runs away? A lot more than you might think!
At Bayside Animal Hospital and our next-door neighbor, Bayside Bed & Biscuit, we offer boarding options for our clients and their four-legged friends. But we understand that sometimes pet boarding doesn’t fit into the budget or may not be necessary. Whether you hire a pet sitter or use pet boarding services, learn more about why microchipping is important for your pets. Explore other convenient pet tracking options to help bring you peace of mind—no matter where you go!
Pet Microchipping: What Is It and Why It Is Important
An identification (ID) tag is your best ticket to pet recovery if you’re separated on vacation or during a quick walk around the block. However, your pet’s grand adventure could result in a lost collar (and ID tag). A microchip is an excellent secondary line of defense for their safety and your sanity. Lost pets often lose their collars on fences, plants, and other items they encounter when on the loose.
Microchips are small, electronic devices that are implanted just below the skin by your veterinarian. This means a pet cannot lose it. It can be scanned by an animal shelter or veterinarian at any time to bring up your contact information. Each microchip contains a unique ID number to help animal control officers, shelters, and other veterinarians identify your pet and find you, their loving owner.
It’s also super important to update your pet’s microchip information every year–in case you have moved, changed a phone number, or any of your contact information.
Microchipping VS Pet Tracking
Although most animal shelters, pet adoption centers, and veterinarians prefer to microchip their four-legged clients, it’s not always a one-size-fits-all solution. Microchips only help ID furry family members once they’re found but do not double as a tracking device.
Enter GPS pet tracking! GPS trackers can be attached to collars or implanted, like a microchip, to pinpoint your pet’s exact location.
The American Humane Society reports that microchipped pets are much more likely to be returned to their homes. Luckily, most people are quick to visit their nearest vet or shelter to have seemingly lost pets scanned for a microchip. Microchips are super helpful and useful for travel companions (if found by other loving humans), but a GPS pet tracker can help you recover a lost pet more quickly–if they wander too far or you find yourselves in remote areas.
We all want to know what our pets get up to when we’re not around. With these simple options, you’ll get a glimpse into their world and can keep tabs on your fur baby while you’re apart. If you have any other questions about microchipping your pet or your pet’s best options for the future, please contact us and we’ll be happy to help. We’re here when you need us.
One response to “The Importance of Microchipping & Pet Tracking”
[…] of the utmost importance to ID your pet—microchipping, having a traditional tag on their collar—or both—as long as you ID your pet! For all options […]