Celebrate National Lost Pet Prevention Month with Microchipping
Did you know that according to the American Humane Association, about 10 million dogs and cats are lost or stolen each year? As we welcome July, we also usher in National Lost Pet Prevention Month, a time dedicated to promoting awareness and knowledge that can help protect our beloved pets from getting lost!
It's a month when we're all reminded of the steps we can take to safeguard our pets and keep them closer to us – keep reading to learn more.
Understanding National Lost Pet Prevention Month
National Lost Pet Prevention Month is an initiative that seeks to educate pet owners on the importance of pet safety and the best practices to prevent pets from getting lost. Every year, millions of pets go missing, and only a fraction find their way back home. The goal of Lost Pet Prevention Month is to change this narrative.
This month, pet owners are urged to learn about the measures they can implement to ensure their pets stay safe. Among these measures is one that stands out for its effectiveness and practicality – microchipping.
The Magic of Microchipping in Lost Pet Prevention
Microchipping is a simple yet highly effective method to ensure a lost pet's safe return. A microchip, roughly the size of a grain of rice, is implanted under a pet's skin, usually between its shoulder blades.
This chip carries a unique identification number that can be scanned by a veterinarian or animal shelter. When the number is entered into a national pet recovery database, it shows the pet owner's contact information, which can be used to reunite the lost pet with its owner.
Here are a few quick facts about microchipping:
· It's Safe: Microchipping is considered safe for pets. The procedure is similar to a routine shot and doesn't require anesthesia.
· It's Permanent: Unlike collars or tags, microchips don't wear out, cannot fall off, and are designed to last the life of a pet.
· It's Effective: Research shows that microchipped dogs are over twice as likely to be returned to their owners, and microchipped cats are over 20 times more likely to be returned.
Implementing Lost Pet Prevention Measures
As we experience Lost Pet Prevention Month, it's the perfect time to ensure your pet is microchipped and your contact information in the database is current. But prevention doesn't stop at microchipping.
Additional measures like securing your home and yard, providing proper identification tags, and training your pet to respond to your call can also significantly reduce the chances of your pet getting lost.
Baby gates and training your dog to sit when guests are also practical methods to keep flighty dogs from running as soon as the door opens – use extra treats as incentives while training!
Reflecting on Lost Pet Prevention Month
As we mark the end of National Lost Pet Prevention Month, it's crucial to remember that the lessons learned this month should carry us through the year. Protecting our furry friends isn't a one-month endeavor but a continuous commitment to providing a safe and nurturing environment.
Microchipping and other preventive measures can ensure our pets stay safe and secure. As pet owners, it's our responsibility to make every month a Lost Pet Prevention Month for our pets. After all, these small creatures rely on us for their safety and care. Let's not let them down!
