We recommend all pets be microchipped for permanent identification. A microchip, a little larger than a grain of rice, is injected under the skin over the shoulders. It is a form of identification that can’t be lost like a collar tag. The number can be read by a scanner that most shelters and vet clinics have. We have had stray dogs brought to the clinic that we were able to reunite with the owner only because they had a microchip and it was registered with up to date contact information. Other animals have come in with no chip or outdated contact information so there was no way to know where they belonged and we couldn’t get them home.
August 15 is National Check the Chip Day. This is a day to remind pet owners to chip their animals if they haven’t already done so and to make sure contact information is up to date if their pets are chipped.
You can get more information here. https://www.avma.org/Events/pethealth/Pages/Check-the-Chip-Day.aspx
-Dr. Slabaugh
