Check the Chip Day: How Microchipping Keeps Our Furry Friends Safe

Let’s face it, our pets can be quite adventurous and tend to wander off. Whether your cat is an expert escape artist or you get separated while hiking with your dog, there are plenty of unexpected cases where we wish we had a better way to find them again.

That's why you should consider microchipping your pet and making sure their information is up to date. And what better day to remind yourself to do so than on Check the Chip Day?

What is Check the Chip Day?

Check the Chip Day falls on August 15th each year. It’s the perfect day to remind pet parents to have their pet's microchips checked and updated to ensure your pet's safety and well-being.

Checking their microchip is a quick and easy process that can give you peace of mind knowing that your pet's identification is up to date.

What is a microchip?

A microchip is a tiny device inserted under your cat or dog’s skin. It has a unique identification number that can be read with a scanner.

This number is linked to your contact information, so if your pet ever gets lost, a shelter or veterinarian's office can scan the microchip and contact you to reunite you with your furry friend.

Think of it like a tiny identity card for your pet — it's about the size of a grain of rice!

Does your pet already have a microchip?

If you adopted your pet, they may already have a microchip implanted. However, ensuring the microchip is properly registered is important. An animal rescue or breeder will usually inform you of the pet's microchip status as part of the pet adoption process.

Why microchip your pet?

Microchipping your pet is a permanent form of identification that can't be lost or removed, like with a collar or tag. It's also a quick and easy procedure that can be done at your veterinarian's office. Plus, it can greatly increase the chances of being reunited with your pet if they're ever lost or stolen.

For a tiny fee and just a few minutes, you and your furry friend will have a greater chance of finding each other again if the unimaginable happens.

Is it legally required to microchip pets?

Depending on where you live in Canada, you may be legally required to microchip your pet. As of 2020, Montréal requires all cats and dogs older than 6 months to be microchipped. The most important part of microchipping is the safety and reassurance it provides. Still, if you’re curious about your local regulations, you can always do some quick research.

Keep your pet's information up to date

It's not enough to just microchip your pet. You also need to make sure their information is up to date. If you move or change your phone number, update your pet's microchip registration as soon as possible. This will ensure that you can be contacted quickly if your pet is found.

With your vet or rescue organization’s help, find out your pet’s microchip number. You can then check your pet’s information with AAHA’s Pet Microchip Registry Lookup. There, you’ll see which service your microchip info is listed on, where you can take further steps to update their info.

Don’t forget to check the chip!

Microchipping your pet is a simple and meaningful way to ensure their safety and increase their chances of being reunited if they ever get lost or stolen. Now is the perfect time to make sure your pet's microchip is up to date. So, let's keep these tips in mind and give our furry friends the best chance of being found if they ever wander off.

For more information on lost pet recovery and microchipping, check out the pet protection resources from our friends at 24Petwatch.