Care-A-Lot Pet Supply is partnering with Dr. Morris at VOTS Clinic for National Chip Your Pet Month. Save $10 on microchipping throughout May, and visit the Indian River location on May 19 from 4-6 PM for half-price chipping, plus chip scanning and registration in Pet Link for chipped pets.

As pet parents, we worry about the well-being of our four-footed children. It’s why we ensure they get plenty of exercise and cuddles, and are fed quality pet food. For all we do to protect our pets, though, there’s always the fear that a beloved dog or cat may become lost.

According to a National Council on Pet Population Study and Policy survey, one-third of all pet dogs and cats in the United States are reported missing in their lifetimes. Sadly, more than 80 percent are never found. Naturally, we worry that our own pets are at risk, but microchipping your dogs and cats is a great way to increase the odds of a safe return home should this happen.

May is National Chip Your Pet Month, and Care-A-Lot Pet Supply is getting the word out to pet owners in Hampton Roads. If you have resisted chipping for various reasons, we hope these considerations will bring you closer to giving your pet some added protection should they become separated from you.

Chipping Is Safe

Veterinarians strive to make the chipping process as pain-free as possible for pets. Chipping is a simple procedure in which the chip–which is about the size of a grain of rice–is inserted via needle under the pet’s skin. Using a scanner, the vet then activates the chip and transmits its identification number, which is added to the chip company’s database. No anesthesia is required to chip your pet, and the chips are designed to stay in place. 

Chipping Helps Identify Your Pet

Perhaps the biggest concern about chipping is invasion of privacy. Your personal information is not included in the chip. The pet microchip contains only a special identification number associated with your pet. It is not a tracking device. Should your pet become lost, the chip is scanned and the manufacturer will consult its registry. They will contact you to inform you that your pet was found. 

If you have chipped your pets, it’s important to make sure your contact information in the registry is updated so there are no delays in reuniting you with your pet.

Chipping Is For All Dogs and Cats

Some pet owners may resist chipping because they keep their dogs and cats indoors, and therefore believe it’s not necessary. Even if your pets are conditioned to stay inside, there’s always the risk they will slip through an open door or open gate and wander off. Chipping indoor pets gives you peace of mind that if the impossible happens, you have a plan in place to help bring your pet home.

This month, thanks to the VOTS Clinic’s special offer, microchipping is more affordable this month. Please visit their website to learn more about this and other services they provide to pet owners in Hampton Roads.