Microchipping
Our pets are dear to our hearts and we want to do everything in our power to prevent them from getting lost. Some of the ways we try to do this are by giving them collars with ID tags and having them on leashes when outside. However, we cannot ensure that a collar will not be taken off or a leash will not snap or slip from our hands. Similarly, we cannot ensure that a door won’t be left open or that our pets will always have their collars on. Thankfully, there is a safe and permanent way to ensure that you will be able to identify your pet if they get lost – microchipping.
A microchip is a small device that is comparable to a grain of rice and is placed under the loose skin at the back of your pet’s neck. A microchip ensures that if your pet gets lost without an ID tag, a veterinarian or veterinary technician can use a handheld microchip scanner to access your pet’s ID number through the transmission of a low-frequency radio wave. A shelter or animal hospital will then call the chip manufacturer in order to get your contact information and will then call you to retrieve your pet. While there are other methods of keeping your pet from getting lost, microchipping is the most effective as pets that are not identified are at risk of being adopted by other families or, unfortunately, euthanized.
Here at Manassas Animal Hospital, we provide services for microchipping your pet and can even suggest a plan to put in place in case your pet ever does get lost. Please contact us to schedule an appointment.