It’s easy to get overwhelmed when you bring your dog or puppy home. One thing you should not forget to do is register your pet’s microchip.
Studies have repeatedly shown dogs with microchips are returned to owners more than 50% of the time. Dogs without microchips only returned home about 20% of the time.
Microchips are only as good as their updated information. This means you need to register your contact information to your dog’s chip. In the study above, nearly all of the microchipped dogs who were not returned to their owners did not have information updated.
How to Register Your Pet’s Microchip
When your dog receives his microchip from a veterinarian or shelter, you should keep a copy of the chip number on your computer, saved on your phone, and in your files.
In order for the chip to be effective, you must register your information.
Manufacturers often charge a fee for keeping this data secure and available for access by veterinarians, shelters, or animal control officers. One available free option can be found below:
But you will still need to register at the manufacturer’s site. The most common include:
What about my privacy?
Any time you give your information to a third party, there is concern about identity theft. But, in the case of a microchip registration, your personal information is quite safe. When you balance that out against it saving your dog’s life, the benefits clearly outweigh the risks.
Your information is only accessible to the manufacturer. Since your dog’s chip can only be scanned by a veterinarian or animal rescue group, privacy concerns are minimal.
Check Your Pet’s Microchip Annually
You should check your pet’s microchip at least once a year. Check the Chip Day is August 15 and this is as good a time as any to verify information!
Checking is easy. Just log into the site of your pet’s chip manufacturer, enter the number, and verify the information is correct. This is especially important if you move.
Keeping your dog’s microchip information updated is your best insurance for getting your pet home again. Make sure you have registered your microchip data!
Double up on the ID
In addition to your dog being microchipped, you will want to double up on the ID by having your pup wear a collar with an identification tag on it.
An ID tag in addition to the microchip (is another line of defense for lost pet recovery). PetHub reports: 96% of PetHub recovered pets return home in fewer than 24 hours, and 98% of those pets never enter a shelter. That is an incredible statistic and as a pet parent, it is a percentage and statistic in which you want your dog to fall!
When your dog is home alone, be aware that he or she could scratch through a screen door or window to escape. If they are chipped, they are more likely to be returned. Also, when they are home, turn on DOGTV to keep them entertained! Sign up for your free trial today.