Because the cost to obtain the equipment necessary to check for chips could have been prohibitive to cash-strapped shelters, the giant American Kennel Club (AKC), through its Companion Animal Recovery program (CAR), promised to donate 25 universal microchip scanners. The HomeAgain microchip program and Bayer each pledged 20 universal scanners.
Microchips are about the size of a grain of rice. Veterinarians and some breeders can easily implant the chip, which typically is injected between the pet's shoulder blades. Once implanted, the chip cannot be felt or seen; only rarely will the chip "migrate" to a different location within the animal's body. During a pet's annual wellness exam, a vet can scan the dog or cat to check the location of the chip.
These 65 scanners, scattered to shelters statewide, will help save dogs' lives. But only if a pet is microchipped in the first place, and then only if the pet is actually enrolled in a microchip recovery program. According to the AKC, lost pets that are microchipped are up to 20 times more likely to return home.
Let's hear it for the forward-thinking Georgia legislators who voted for Georgia's pets; let's hear it for the corporations and non-profits that supported the bill; and let's hear it for the many thousands of dogs and cats in our shelters.
I'm off for injured reserve rehab for a little while, and during my own rehabilitation and recover from a shoulder injury, I won't, after all that, be writing about those stocky little chihuahuas. I will, however, be looking forward to the official release date (August 30) of DogLife Labrador Retriever. This book is available now for pre-order on Amazon.com.
Hug your pups, and microchip!
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