Have you heard of microchipping your dog? This method is a way to ensure your dog is reunited with you if it gets lost. A microchip is a permanent identification tag that is placed between the shoulder blades and back of your dog’s neck. This chip is extremely small, (about the size of a grain of rice) and is put just under the skin. With the microchip database, your pet will be given a specific number that registers details about your furry friend as well as you, the owner.

This chip will be used if your animal gets lost so that a vet or animal shelter can contact you to return your pet. Therefore, it is important to keep your phone number and other information up to date. In addition, if you adopt a pet that already has a microchip, contact the registry to update the information. However, you will have to pay a fee to update the details.

If you have concerns about whether or not microchipping is painful, this procedure only takes a few seconds. It causes minor discomfort that will stop shortly after it is implanted. No anesthetic is even required. This can be done before you adopt or purchase your pet or at your veterinarian office.

August 15 is National Microchipping Day. The American Animal Hospital Association and American Veterinary Medical Association teamed up to create “Check the Chip Day” to remind owners to keep their registration up to date and have their pet microchipped if they haven’t. This day is quickly approaching, so be sure to participate in checking your dog’s chip!