Because
your cat's collar can easily become detached, microchipping
is another option to ensure your cat will be identified
if lost. A
microchip, which has a lifetime of 75 years, is the
size of a grain of rice and is quickly and easily
injected under you cat's skin, giving them permanent
identification.
Each
microchip contains a unique 10 digit ID code that
must be registered with the American Kennel Club's
(AKC) Companion Animal Recovery program
by completing a form supplied by your veterinarian.
This code on the microchip holds the key to all
of your cat's personal information, stored in a
central computer. Vets, police, shelters, and pet
rescue organizations have hand scanners available
to them so that they can detect and read the microchip
so that they can contact you in the case of a lost
or injured cat (or dog). |
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Your
local veterinarian can microchip your cat as easily as
they would give him a shot (although the needle is a bit
thicker and causes some cats discomfort). It is normally
implanted in the scruff of an animal's neck (the loose
skin over its shoulder blades). The
chip, antenna, and capacitor are all encased in a tiny
glass tube, which is composed of soda lime glass known
for its compatibility with living tissue. The glass
is hermetically sealed to keep moisture out. Once
inserted it can only be removed surgically.
Two
local veterinarians that I contacted said that they install
the microchip for $45.00, which includes the price of the
chip, the installation, and enrollment in the national
computer database. I've also read online that shelters
charge about $15.00 because they buy microchips in bulk,
but you should contact your local shelter to verify pricing.
Because
this is such an affordable option, this should be considered
for your cat. A study showed that 1 out of 3 pets
are lost (an estimated 10 million pets), and 75% of them
are never returned due to improper identification. Further,
50% of dogs and 75% of cats are without collars by the
time they reach a shelter.
Check
out the HomeAgain
website, where you can view an informative video on
how the procedure is done, and learn so much more about
this great program. Over 50,000 pets have been returned
to their owners through this system. The HomeAgain
system is one of the best because you can report your cat
missing to them and they will notify all shelters and vets
in your area (rather than waiting for someone to find your
pet and take them to a vet/shelter). They also offer a
lot of extra benefits, read their webpage for more details.
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