Check The Chip Day

August 15 is AVMA’s Check the Chip Day. S.T.A.T. has been on the frontlines locally to help get pets microchipped and increase awareness of how microchipping can increase the chances of getting your pet back if it gets lost. A study of more than 7,700 stray animals at animal shelters showed that dogs without microchips were returned to their owners 21.9% of the time, whereas microchipped dogs were returned to their owners 52.2% of the time. Cats without microchips were reunited with their owners only 1.8% of the time, whereas microchipped cats went back home 38.5% of the time. (Lord et al,JAVMA, July 15, 2009) For microchipped animals that weren't returned to their owners, most of the time it was due to incorrect owner information (or no owner information) in the microchip registry database – so don't forget to register and keep your information updated. Saving The Animals Together will be partnering with R&J Feed to make it easy for you to have your pet’s chip checked or have your pet chipped. It only cost $1 to get your pet scanned for a chip. If no chip is detected we will take $1 off the cost of having a chip inserted. Having a chip inserted is $20. The pet owner is responsible for registering the chip. S.T.A.T provides a list of low cost and free databases for you to choose from. R&J Feed will be offering a special Check the Chip Day discount on engraved tags that include the pet’s microchip number, for pet owners who either have a successful chip check done, or who have a chip implanted that day.