Several years ago the [Central Aroostook Humane Society] shelter was gifted with a microchip scanner by the Central Aroostook Kennel Club. It is amazing how efficiently and quickly the scanner works.
(Image: Metro Creative)
This gift has given area pet owners peace of mind in the event their pet is lost or missing. This technology can be so important if someone finds a pet who is not wearing tags. If a chip is present in a lost pet, the scanner will identify a registered number, which will then identify the owner’s information. This technology will make it much easier to reunite pets back with their families.
Louise Murray, DVM, director of medicine for the ASPCA’s Bergh Memorial Animal Hospital in New York City, says up to 8 million animals end up in shelters every year. Unfortunately, only 15 to 20 percent of dogs and less than 2 percent of cats are ever reclaimed by their owners. This procedure takes the same amount of time it takes to give any injection. It literally takes seconds.
A vet uses a needle to place a little chip under the animal’s skin, usually between the shoulder blades. That chip has a unique number on it which can be read by our new scanner. Microchipping done to lots of different animals, including horses, dogs, cats, ferrets and most other mammals.
Pet owners also need to understand that a microchip is only one part of your pet’s identification system. Your pet also should have a collar with tags on it. With cats you want to use breakaway collars so they don’t get caught when they’re climbing.
You can’t just assume the person who finds your pet will know anything about microchips. They might just keep your pet or give away your pet. But if your phone number is right there, everyone knows what to do with that. And honestly, that’s the most important thing you need to have on there. They don’t need to know your pet’s name. They don’t need your address. They just need to know how to contact you if they’ve got your pet. And make it a number with a voicemail or answering machine.
It’s also important for people to realize there’s no identification system that will help if your animal is lost where no one can find him. So it’s important not to let your pet run loose. And no microchip can stop your animal from being hit by a car or being stolen by someone who has bad intentions.
It’s only going to help if someone picks up your pet and takes him to a shelter or veterinarian’s office to be scanned for a chip. Some people think chips are like a tracker or a GPS device, but a microchip only works if someone scans the chip.
Once they get the chip’s number and manufacturer, they’ll contact that company to find the owner. And that’s one of the most important things people need to remember – the chip is only as good as the registration. A lot of people think, “OK, I’ve got this in. I’m done.” But if your registration isn’t submitted and then kept current, it’s useless. That’s been a big gap. Many more pets are micro chipped than are properly registered. You have to get the paperwork and make sure that chip is registered to you, with your phone numbers. And if you move or you change your phone numbers, you have to update that information.
Looking for that special four-legged friend? Stop by the Central Aroostook Humane Society at 26 Cross Street, Presque Isle. Hours are Tuesday through Saturday, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., closing for lunch 12 to 12:30.
Please be responsible … spay and neuter your pets.
Gloria J. Towle is the secretary and a member of the Board of Directors of the Central Aroostook Humane Society.
