The Importance of Microchipping Your Cats
Alley Cat Rescue often hears from concerned cat guardians who have lost their beloved cat and are looking for help. Our first question to them is always, “Is the cat microchipped?” We ask this question because microchipping your cat is the best way to help you find your cat in the event that she becomes lost. It is estimated that less than 5% of lost cats are found[1]. Microchipping your cat is an easy procedure to increase the chances you are reunited with your loved one in case the worst happens.
Procedure:
The procedure for microchipping your cat is very easy and straightforward. A veterinarian will implant the microchip between your cat’s shoulder blades using a needle. The cat does not need to be anesthetized and the procedure does not hurt more than a routine vaccination. Alley Cat Rescue microchips all the cats entering our adoption program and the procedure can take as little as two minutes.
Cost:
The average cost for a microchip is $45-$70 and often includes registration to a pet recovery database. If you adopt a cat from a shelter or rescue, the cat often comes already microchipped.
How it works:
Once your cat is microchipped, you are not done! Next, you need to register the microchip into a database. This database connects the cat’s microchip information to your personal information. You can register your microchip number into a free database here. If your cat gets outside and is taken to a rescue, shelter, or veterinary practice, they can scan using a small wand-like instrument) and receive her unique identification number. The person can then enter the microchip number into a database to find your contact information. Once they receive your contact information, they can contact your directly to be reunited with your friend. REMEMBER, if you move or change phone numbers, you need to update the microchip information so anyone who finds your cat can still contact you.
What about using a collar with identification tags?
You can put a collar on your cat with your contact information, however this has several disadvantages. First, the collar can fall off the cat or be removed. If this happens, your cat is no longer connected to your contact information, significantly reducing the chances of finding the cat. Second, if your cat gets outside, the collar can get stuck to a tree branch or other object causing potential strangulation or suffocation. If you want to put a collar on your cat, Alley Cat Rescue recommends using a break-away collar (will snap off if the collar gets stuck on something), in addition to microchipping your cat.
Download PDF.
References
[1] Frequency of Lost Dogs and Cats in the United States. (n.d.). Retrieved from https://www.aspcapro.org/research/frequency-lost-dogs-and-cats-united-states
Procedure:
The procedure for microchipping your cat is very easy and straightforward. A veterinarian will implant the microchip between your cat’s shoulder blades using a needle. The cat does not need to be anesthetized and the procedure does not hurt more than a routine vaccination. Alley Cat Rescue microchips all the cats entering our adoption program and the procedure can take as little as two minutes.
Cost:
The average cost for a microchip is $45-$70 and often includes registration to a pet recovery database. If you adopt a cat from a shelter or rescue, the cat often comes already microchipped.
How it works:
Once your cat is microchipped, you are not done! Next, you need to register the microchip into a database. This database connects the cat’s microchip information to your personal information. You can register your microchip number into a free database here. If your cat gets outside and is taken to a rescue, shelter, or veterinary practice, they can scan using a small wand-like instrument) and receive her unique identification number. The person can then enter the microchip number into a database to find your contact information. Once they receive your contact information, they can contact your directly to be reunited with your friend. REMEMBER, if you move or change phone numbers, you need to update the microchip information so anyone who finds your cat can still contact you.
What about using a collar with identification tags?
You can put a collar on your cat with your contact information, however this has several disadvantages. First, the collar can fall off the cat or be removed. If this happens, your cat is no longer connected to your contact information, significantly reducing the chances of finding the cat. Second, if your cat gets outside, the collar can get stuck to a tree branch or other object causing potential strangulation or suffocation. If you want to put a collar on your cat, Alley Cat Rescue recommends using a break-away collar (will snap off if the collar gets stuck on something), in addition to microchipping your cat.
Download PDF.
References
[1] Frequency of Lost Dogs and Cats in the United States. (n.d.). Retrieved from https://www.aspcapro.org/research/frequency-lost-dogs-and-cats-united-states