Each year more than 10,000 pets are recovered by Animal Control Officers for running at large in communities. These animals are taken into the Animal Control Facility where they are kept until an owner presents himself/herself; they are eventually adopted out to new owners or sent to a rescue. Found pets are also brought into Veterinary hospitals to see if someone has reported a lost pet. Many times never to find their owners.

One way to reunite pets with their owners in a more timely fashion, and with minimal expense is to microchip your pet. Animal Control and Veterinary Hospitals will automatically scan a pet for a microchip to locate the pets' owner.

Frequently Asked Questions about Microchips:

 

1. What is the AVID Microchip?

The microchip is a tiny computer chip which has an identification number programmed into it and is encapsulated within a biocompatible material. The whole device is small enough to fit inside a hypodermic needle and can be simply injected under the skin of our pets, where it will stay for the life of the animal. This provides a permanent, positive identification which cannot be lost, altered or intentionally removed - a safe, simple and inexpensive way to protect your pet against loss or theft.

 

     2. How does the AVID Microchip work? 

 

The computer memory in the AVID Microchip contains a unique number - no two animals will ever have the same number. A radio signal is used to read this number through the skin of your pet. In addition to the number, the microchip generates a reliability check to guarantee that your pet's identifying number is read accurately. This all takes place in less than 40 milliseconds.

      3. How long does the AVID Microchip last?

Once injected under the skin of your pet, the AVID Microchip becomes encased by a thin layer of protein which anchors it in place for the rest of the life of your pet. It does not pass through or out of the body. The microchip itself has no power supply to replace or moving parts to wear down. Therefore, it can be expected to last for decades - well beyond the lifespan of most pets.

      4. Does my pet have to be sedated for the injection?

No! Injecting the AVID Microchip is just like any other injection or vaccination. Anesthesia is not required or recommended since there is minimal discomfort with the procedure.

      5. Does the procedure hurt my pet?

Not at all. The injection creates only a slight discomfort - most pets don't even react to it. 


6. If my pet is found, how does the shelter know to contact me?

When a shelter finds a pet with a microchip they will call AVID. If the pet is registered with AVlD's recovery network, PETtrac, the shelter will be given the owner's name. If the pet is not registered, they will be given the name of the veterinarian who injected the microchip. The veterinarian will provide the owner's latest information.

For further information or to have your pet microchipped today call Woodland Veterinary Hospital.




(Courtesy of AVID)