Health & Fitness
SO YOUR PET IS MICROCHIPPED... THINKING YOU'LL BE CONTACTED IF THEY ARE FOUND AND BE REUNITED WITH YOU??? DON'T BE SO SURE...
Hello, Patch Pet Lovers!
Below is a blog post I wrote for PetsitUSA, a Professional Pet Sitting organization providing resources to pet parents and pet professionals. Since May of 2010, I have been a member of PetsitUSA, and in November 2013, I began writing articles for PetsitUSA regarding safety-related issues and emergency preparedness with our beloved pets.
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THINKING YOU’LL BE CONTACTED IF THEY ARE FOUND, AND BE REUNITED WITH YOU??? DON’T BE SO SURE… UNLESS YOUR INFORMATION IS UP TO DATE!!!
This also applies to your pet’s ID tags!!!
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As a pet sitter, I’m finding some of my furry friends have been new to the area… and during my consultation with a new family, one of the questions I ask is if their furry baby is microchipped. I then proceed to obtain the company through which the chip is registered and document the actual chip number. But, to ensure the pet’s best chance of being returned home and reunited with its family, the most important detail is often overlooked…
UPDATING YOUR CURRENT CONTACT INFORMATION!!!
Please be sure to immediately update the contact information for your pet if your telephone number and/or your address changes, even if it’s temporary!!! A microchip is useless if you cannot be reached.
Another very important feature microchip companies offer is maintaining a photo in your pet’s file; therefore, if you report your pet is lost, a public alert will be sent out, including a picture of your pet, ONLY if you provided one, of course. Unfortunately, many families fail to ever provide a photograph!!!
Photos should be updated regularly… a long-haired kitty whom is shaved for the summer should have an updated picture on file after being groomed. Through the years our animals age, and their appearance is quite different than their youthful puppy days. As a result of illness or injury, physical appearances may change. Again, I reiterate, if there are any physical changes, please remember: Submit an updated photo of your beloved pet to the company with whom the chip is registered.
Every day I receive Lost Pet Notices… absent of a photograph!!! If I see a furry baby’s face on my screen, with an announcement they are lost, that vision remains with me until I learn the pet is home safe and sound… months may pass; however, if I see a listing for a found animal resembling a pet in a notice I’ve previously received as lost, I’ll revisit the photo for updated info and check to see if it’s possibly that missing pet.
When your pet visits their vet for an annual wellness checkup, or even a sick visit, I highly recommend you request the chip be scanned to ensure it’s functioning. Scanning is noninvasive and takes only a few seconds. I’ve never known a vet, shelter, or rescue to charge for scanning.
If your pet did not receive their microchip at their current vet’s office, please be sure to provide their present doctor the company’s name with whom the chip is registered, along with the microchip number, so the information may be documented in your pet’s records.
In the best interest of your pet’s safety… please remember to update your contact information and provide updated photographs to the microchip company as often as needed… and replace all identification tags with updated information as well!!
Helping to keep beloved furry babies healthy and safe… and pet parents informed!
- See more at: http://www.petsitusa.com/blog/#sthash.lJDlXl9v.dpuf
Hoping everyone is having a purrrfectly safe and warm snowy week!
Lori
I've Got the 'Scoop'!, LLC, in Palmyra
Professional Pet, Love, Enrichment, and Care...
as though YOU were there!!!
(856) 906-7111
