Kitty Come Home: Microchipping Your Cat
When we think about collars, ID tags, and microchips for our pets, it’s all too common to think only of our dogs. But the sad truth is, cats can get lost or stolen too; and without any form of identification, it’s extremely likely that your kitty won’t ever make it home.
It is estimated that a staggering 3-4 million cats are lost or stolen every year. Without identification, the odds of your kitty making it home are extremely slim. In fact, both PetFinder and HomeAgain estimate that, without a microchip, only 2% of lost cats will reconnect with their owners.
Don’t let your sweet cat become a heartbreaking statistic. Take the time to make sure your cat has some form of identification, be it inside or out.
Microchipping Your Cat
Microchipping your cat is, by far, the best protection you can give your feline. The tiny chip, which is approximately the size of an uncooked grain of rice, is inserted under your pet’s skin (it doesn’t hurt), and then programmed with your name and contact information.
Should your pet become lost and end up at a shelter or vet’s office, the staff will automatically check to see if the chip is there, read it, and call you to come pick up your pet.
Remember that statistic where only 2% of lost or stolen cats without microchips are reunited with their people? Well that number swells to an impressive 38-40% for microchipped cats, making the decision to chip your kitty a no-brainer!
Cats and Collars
Most cat owners are resistant to put a collar on their kitty. But the truth is, you shouldn’t be. Sure, your cat may hate it at first, but he or she will get used to it.
Collaring your cat, and making him or her wear an ID tag on it, is a great way to keep your kitty safe. Not only is it an added layer of security, but it will let people know that your cat has a home, and a caring one at that, and that he or she should not take your cat in as their own, but call you instead.
Breakaway Collars – If your cat is going to wear a collar, however; it is vitally important that it is a breakaway collar (it will be labeled as such on the packaging). Breakaway collars are important because if your kitty’s collar does get caught on a branch (or what-have-you), the collar will pop off your cat’s neck (breakaway), instead of strangling your precious pet on whatever he or she is caught on.
This, however, illustrates the double necessity of the microchip. If the collar (with tags) does come off, your pet is still protected through the microchip.
If your cat is not microchipped, please give us a call. Likewise, if you’re not certain what contact info is on your pet’s chip, it’s probably time for an update. We’re happy to help however we can. We love our feline patients, and would hate for you to be separated by something so small as a microchip or ID tag, when it can easily be avoided.