How To Track A Microchipped Dog In 3 Easy Ways
One of the most stressful moments in a dog owner's life is when his beloved pooch gets lost. It is tough to imagine that your pet could be anywhere and that you might not find them anymore. However, if your dog has been microchipped and registered, there is a better chance he will be returned faster. There easy ways on how to track a microchipped dog, and it is the most effective means of getting your pet back into your loving arms.
Dogs and cats alike often get lost due to the same reasons, such as boredom, anxiety, curiosity, or mate-hunting. Did you know that one out of three pets gets lost in their lifetimes? This scenario is the reason why it is convenient and essential to know how to track a microchipped dog. Moreover, missing dogs with microchips have a 15% better chance of being located and reunited with their owners.
What are Microchips?
In learning how to track a microchipped dog, you also need to know how microchips work. Microchips work like permanent identification tags, and these are injected under the dog's skin. The location is right between the shoulder blades. These are small devices about the size of a rice grain and are readable through a scanner. Microchipping your dog is as quick and straightforward as taking your pet for a trip to the vet. Moreover, the microchip should be injected by someone trained to do it, such as a veterinarian. You do not have to worry about the chip running out of power since they do not need a power source to last a lifetime.
Ways on How to Track a Microchipped Dog
These are the three easiest ways on how to track a microchipped dog:
1. Log on to the online registry.
After logging on to the online registry, you have to enter your pup’s microchip number. This information is presumably kept safe, along with your dog's identification documents and medical records. If you can no longer find the number, you may try calling the clinic where you had the chip installed or go online and look for universal tracking sites.
You may try identifying the microchipping company on websites such as PetMicrochipLookup. However, this will not provide the location of your pet and other related information.
2. Let the microchipping company contact you.
The waiting game is the most challenging part. You can only find your pet if the microchip has been scanned in a shelter or a vet clinic to retrieve owner and pet information. These do not work the same way as GPS trackers. Unfortunately, these cannot give you the real-time location of your missing dog. This is why you have to make sure that your contact information is updated in the microchip registry. The person who finds your pet should be able to contact you once he scans the microchip.
It can be taxing to wait for a call, hoping someone can find your dog and take him to the vet immediately. This is why you also have to actively look for your lost dog by having a search party in your neighborhood, posting flyers, and submitting a report at PawMaw. Make sure to leave someone at home, such as a family member or friend, in case you get a call about possible leads on your dog's location.
3. Call nearby veterinary hospitals and local shelters.
Calling shelters and vet hospitals near you can also help in your search, especially when there is a pet matching your dog's description that has been taken in recently. Vet hospitals and shelters have available microchip scanners that can identify lost pets with microchips. You may also try to visit them and give a copy of the missing dog flyer for them to be informed. With this, they can do a quick microchip scan to verify when someone comes along with your dog.
If you adopted your furbaby from a shelter, then call that shelter as well. There is a possibility that he has been microchipped before you took him home, and the shelter keeps all of this microchip information. They are one of the first ones to be informed in case your dog has been found.
How to Get Your Dog Microchipped
Now that you know the importance of having your dog microchipped, here are the steps to equip your pet with this relatively affordable technology. It will give you a little peace of mind in case your pet goes missing.
Have Your Dog Injected
The vet should inject the microchip between the dog's shoulder blades. Make sure that a professional perform the procedure, so it does not inflict any harm on your pet. The chip has to be positioned at a proper depth so that the scanners can easily read it. This procedure will not take much of your time.
Do Not Forget to Get the Microchip Activation ID
After the injection, the vet will give you an activation code for you to complete the registration. You should not forget to get the code before leaving the clinic. You may also be provided a toll-free number if you prefer to activate through a phone call.
Complete the Registration
To complete the process, you may either register the microchip online or call the manufacturing company. Make sure that the microchip information is fully updated, in case you move to another location or change phone numbers.
Conclusion
It is tough to lose a dog that you already consider a family member. Also, it is hard to imagine the heartbreak when you are in despair and ran out of ways to find him. This is why you should know how to track a microchipped dog. I hope that this article enlightened you on the matter and encouraged you to have your beloved pooch microchipped. Get more tips on pet trackers.