Microchipping
Home Again Pet Microchipping in Raleigh, NC
At Companion Animal Hospital of Wakefield in Raleigh, NC, we know what irreplaceable members of the family pets are. And as pet parents ourselves, we know how hard it is to have a pet go missing. That’s why we offer Home Again pet microchipping, a permanent form of identification for your cat or dog that offers a direct link to you, no matter where they end up.
What is a Pet Microchip?
A microchip is a tiny device, no bigger than a grain of rice, that emits a unique identification code when scanned by a microchip scanner. We insert the microchip under the skin between the shoulder blades. This procedure is well tolerated by most pets with just a treat distraction and it is no more painful than a vaccination. The code it emits corresponds with your contact information in the microchip company’s online database. In our case, we use Home Again microchips, so you’ll be able to update your contact information on Home Again’s website.
Why Microchip My Pet?
Microchipping your dog or cat is a safeguard against them getting irretrievably lost. According to Home Again, 1 in 3 pets will go missing at some point in their lives. Having your pet microchipped significantly increases their chances of coming home. Collars and tags can easily be damaged, fall off, or even be removed, but a microchip is permanent. It cannot be removed, and it cannot fail to work.
What Happens if My Pet Gets Lost?
When a pet gets lost, it can be hard to know where to start. With a Home Again microchip, the first thing you can do is contact Home Again. They’ll put out a lost pet alert to notify animal shelters, vet clinics, and volunteers within a 25-mile radius of where your pet was lost. When your dog or cat is brought into a shelter or clinic, the staff will scan their microchip and notify Home Again, who will look up your contact information in their database and give you a call.
The most important thing to remember about having a microchip is that it is up to you to keep the information in Home Again’s database up to date. If your phone number changes, or you move, it’s essential that you remember to update the information, so your pet can be returned to you without a hitch.