Advertisement
"We cannot stress enough the importance of pet identification to guardagainst the agony of losing a pet forever," said California Veterinary MedicalAssociation (CVMA) President Jeff Smith, DVM. "Outfitting a pet with a collarand imprinted tag is a good first step, but inserting a microchip is the bestmeans of permanent identification and significantly increases the likelihoodof pets being reunited with their owners."
Advertisement
Studies show one in three pets will get lost during their lifetimes andwithout pet identification, 90 percent will not make it home. When HurricaneKatrina forced the evacuation of New Orleans, tens of thousands of pets wereleft behind, many with no identification tags. While the CVMA recommendscollars and tags be worn at all times, they can easily slip off between thetime the pet breaks out of the yard and ends up in a shelter.
With National Pet Identification Week being celebrated the third week inApril, veterinarians, local SPCAs and humane societies are making a strongpush to educate owners about the importance of microchipping and its long-termeffectiveness in identifying animals and reuniting them with their owners.
"Many owners may be fearful of microchip implants, but it is a relativelypainless procedure that will not affect a pet physically or behaviorally,"added Dr. Smith.
Microchipping involves inserting an electronic capsule about the size of agrain of rice under the pet's skin. The chip is embedded with a uniquealphanumeric identifier that contains information for contacting the relevantregistry when scanned with an electronic reader. Pet owners are given adistinctive tag for the animal's collar, which informs those who find the lostpet of the microchip implant. The tag provides a specific chip number andcontact information with the recovery service's toll-free number. Mostshelters and veterinarians have microchip readers.
Since the microchip cannot be seen, the average person may be unaware itis there. That's why the CVMA recommends both collar tags and microchips forpets. Tattooing is another alternative, but it is not considered as effectivebecause the tattoo may fade over time and change as an animal grows.
Owners also should ensure tags are updated and checked regularly in theevent an owner moves or changes phone numbers or the tags become unreadablewith wear.
In addition, the CVMA encourages pet owners to keep an up-to-date filewith a written description of their pet that includes the animal's size,markings, weight and unusual features as well as a current photo to use forposters or to take to the animal shelter should a pet become lost or stolen.
For media interviews with a California veterinarian regarding this issue,please contact Phil Boerner at the CVMA: 916-649-0599. To access past CVMApress releases, visit the CVMA Media Center in the News Room athttp://www.cvma.net/.
The California Veterinary Medical Association is the largest stateveterinary medical association in the United States, with more than 6,000members. Founded in 1888, its mission is to serve its membership and communitythrough innovative leadership and to improve animal and human health in anethically and socially responsible manner.Whatever method is used, the CVMA recommends identification tags include: -- Pet's name -- Owner's name and address -- Telephone numbers (day and evening) -- Veterinarian's name and number -- Current rabies vaccination and licensing information -- Health problems requiring medication
SOURCE California V
