Losing your pet can be heartbreaking and an unsuccessful search even more so. Each year, more than 10 million pets are lost, and, according to the American Humane Association, only about 17% of lost dogs and 2% of lost cats ever find their owners. Nearly 20 million pets are euthanized each year because their owners cannot be located. If your pet is microchipped, there is a much greater chance that they will return to you safely. We know from experience that microchipped pets have the best chance of recovery because the microchip is a permanent form of identification, which is easily scanned. While tattoos are a good form of identification lost pets are usually frightened and reluctant to let strangers search their bodies for their identification. Not only are tattoos difficult to find but also many fade or blur over time. Collar tags also work but many come loose and are lost. Tags and tattoos should be considered the second form of protection and identification. The problem for most owners is that they do not expect to lose their pet, and when they do, it becomes their worst nightmare.

Some people are hesitant to microchip their pet because they are afraid it will hurt. The procedure is simple, routine, and virtually painless, and it doesn't require any anesthesia. Your pet simply gets an injection just under the loose skin between the shoulder blades; it's a lot like getting vaccinated. Most animals don't react at all. Long-term studies have shown that the microchip is very safe for your pets. The chip contains an identification code that is unique to your pet. Mount Laurel Animal Hospital uses the ResQTM pet identification system, which is a safe and convenient ISO-compliant (134.2 kHz) microchip system that helps reunite lost pets with their owners.

ResQTM is unique:
    * A sophisticated scanner capable of reading all brands of tested microchips currently sold in the United States.
    * An ISO compliant microchip that can be read by any ISO compliant scanner, regardless of the manufacturer. The International Organization for Standardization (ISO) is comprised of the United States (ANSI) and over 140 other nations that work together to develop compatible technology standards worldwide.
    * A true no-cost pet registration database that eliminates any financial obligation for maintaining the current contact information. Through resQ’s Petlink registry database, owners are granted no-cost pet registration and a lifetime of free updates. The Petlink database also provides 24/7 customer support for pet owners regardless of their pet’s country of origin.

If your pet becomes lost, call 1-877-PETLINK or click on "Report a Missing or Found Pet" link at the top of the page. Once your pet is reported lost, Petlink will send you an email confirmation with a link to obtain a "lost pet" flyer with your pet's photo. You may use this flyer to post at local stores, animal shelters and veterinary clinics in your area.

Veterinarians, rescue agencies, animal control officers and shelters are provided with a scanner that reads the digital number on the chip inside the capsule. When your lost pet is found, they will be scanned and the information will be called in to Petlink. Their database will bring up your information and you will be notified immediately and your pet will soon be home safe. The system works!

Ideally, leashes, fences, and doors would be enough to keep your pet safe at home, but in the real world, accidents happen, and your pet depends on you to protect him or her against the things that could go wrong. With a little effort now, you can take a big step toward ensuring that your pet will be with you in the future. If you are interested in this very effective tool in keeping your pet safe and with you always, talk to one of our Veterinarians on your next visit.