Lately, I’ve been seeing more and more Facebook posts about lost pets. And it’s not just dogs anymore—cats, birds, even a bearded dragon! Unfortunately, no matter how careful we are, pets can slip out an open door, squeeze through a fence, or become frightened and run away. It can happen to anyone.
Not long ago, my son was driving down Highway 61 when he spotted a dog running in the middle of the road, dodging traffic. Being the kind of person he is, he stopped, got the dog safely into his car, and knocked on doors at several nearby homes hoping someone recognized him. No one did.
He brought the dog to my house, and the first thing I did was call Dorchester Paws to see if anyone had reported a missing dog. The description didn’t match any reports, so I asked if they had a microchip scanner and whether we could bring the dog by.
A few minutes later, we arrived at the shelter. The dog did have a microchip. After scanning it, they were able to retrieve the owner’s contact information. We called the owner, who lived less than half a mile away from where the dog had been found. Needless to say, they were incredibly relieved and grateful to have their family member safely back home.
That happy ending was possible because of one tiny microchip.
According to studies, only about 17% of lost dogs and 2% of lost cats are reunited with their owners when they are not properly identified. Those odds improve dramatically when a pet has a registered microchip.
So, let me ask you a simple question:
Is your pet microchipped?
If the answer is yes, when was the last time you verified that the contact information registered with the microchip is still current? If you’ve moved, changed your phone number, or transferred ownership of the pet, the information may need updating.
But let’s take a step back. What exactly is a microchip?
A pet microchip is a tiny RFID chip—about the size of a grain of rice—that is inserted just beneath your pet’s skin using a needle similar in size to one used for a routine blood draw. The chip contains a unique identification number. When a veterinarian, animal shelter, or rescue scans the chip with a special reader, that number is retrieved and matched to your contact information through the microchip registry.
Because the chip is safely under the skin, it can’t fall off like a collar or become unreadable like a worn tag.
One important point: a microchip is not a GPS tracker.
It cannot track your pet’s location or send out a signal. The chip can only be read when a scanner is held very close to your pet. Think of it as a permanent form of identification rather than a tracking device.
Is microchipping required?
In most cases, no. There is currently no federal law requiring privately owned pets to be microchipped, although some states and local governments have adopted certain requirements. Many shelters and rescue organizations require pets to be microchipped before adoption, and pets entering the United States from many countries are also required to have one.
Even if it isn’t legally required where you live, it’s one of the best investments you can make for your pet. Most veterinarians can implant a microchip during a routine visit, and the average cost is around $50.
While microchips are incredibly valuable, they work best when paired with other forms of identification.
A collar with an up-to-date ID tag is still one of the quickest ways for a neighbor to contact you if they find your pet. Make sure the information is current and easy to read. Personalized embroidered collars are another excellent option because the contact information is always attached to the collar itself.
The more ways someone has to identify your pet, the better the chances of a quick reunion.
Here at Legends Pet Care Services, we believe so strongly in the value of microchips that we purchased our own microchip scanner.
If you ever find a lost pet, give us a call. We will gladly scan the pet for a microchip at no charge. It’s just one small way we can help reunite families with the pets they love.
Because at Legends Pet Care Services, we believe pets are family.
Happy pets. Happy you.
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