Microchipping and registering pets is key to keeping them safe this summer

In honor of National Lost Pet Prevention Month, Merck Animal Health—a division of Merck & Co, Inc—announced its HomeAgain pet recovery service is encouraging pet owners nationwide to microchip pets and register their microchip IDs in a reliable national database.¹

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HomeAgain has collaborated with our very own chief veterinary officer, Adam Christman, DVM, MBA, to help inform pet owners of the importance of microchipping and registering a pet’s microchip.

“Having a pet microchipped and registered in a database greatly increases the chance of being reunited with them should they ever go missing. A microchip is a grain-of-rice sized implant that provides a permanent, safe way to identify a found dog or cat,” shared Christman. “However, reuniting a found pet with their owner is not guaranteed unless the pet’s microchip ID is registered in a database with up-to-date owner contact information. Unregistered microchips or incorrect contact information are two of the most common reasons why a lost pet’s owner cannot be located.”

In fact, research published by the Journal of the American Veterinary Medical Association revealed that in a study of more than 7,700 stray animals at shelters, dogs without microchips were reunited with owners 21.9% of the time, while microchipped dogs were reunited with owners 52.2% of the time.²

Along with preventing a pet from getting lost, summer also poses other potential risks for pets. Festivities involving barbecues, poolside time, and having guests over can create opportunities for dogs to get their paws on food without anyone noticing.

“I always stress to my clients the importance of keeping pets away from the grill and table food scraps during any summer activities,” said Christman, in the release. “Guests may accidentally leave their plate unmonitored or drop food that could be toxic to pets, including seasoned meat, bread or canned veggies. Some human foods are dangerous enough to cause pancreatitis and other health problems in dogs. Do your best to watch your pet’s interactions with other people and ensure they are only given pet-friendly treats.”

Also, be sure guests know that you have pets in the house to ensure they close doors and gates tightly to prevent them from going missing.

Another risk that summer poses is heatstroke for dogs. Ensure clients know the signs including excessive panting and drooling, reddened gums, and vomiting, plus how to prevent it.¹ Monitoring a pet’s drinking and making sure they stay cool can serve as preventive measures.

“We all know our dogs love to please us, and they won’t always let us know if they feel overheated or sick, but with some breeds prone to overheating it’s important to keep them cool,” added Christman.

“I recommend adding a cooling mat to your backyard and swapping out stainless steel water bowls for plastic ones. If you’re on the go, there are bandanas and toys that are designed to keep your pet nice and cool. If you’re not sure whether your pet needs medical care, always contact your vet – one of my favorite things about the HomeAgain premium membership is the access to a 24/7 medical hotline, where experts can help pet owners identify or inquire about potential signs of heat stroke or illness.”

References

1. HomeAgain pet recovery service emphasizes microchipping and registering pets before the summer months. News release. Merck Animal Health. July 4, 2022. Accessed July 8, 2022. https://www.homeagain.com/microchipping-summer-months
2. Lord LK, Ingwersen W, Gray JL, Wintz DJ. Characterization of animals with microchips entering animal shelters. J Am Vet Med Assoc. 2009 Jul 15;235(2):160-7. doi: 10.2460/javma.235.2.160.