May is Chip-your-Pet month and pet owners are urged to get their furry friends microchipped to increase their chances of being found if they wander off.
Senior brand manager of pet food supplier Whiskas, Nivashnee Moodley said some pets were natural wanderers, but others will only wander if the opportunity arises such as if a gate is left open. “Other pets wander when they become stressed by incidents such as fireworks. This is why is it so important to make sure they can be identified in the event they are picked up by a caring citizen,” Moodley said.
To create awareness during Chip-your-Pet month, here is some FAQs around microchipping:
What is a microchip?
A microchip is a tiny electronic chip that is the size of a grain of rice. This is implanted just under the pets’ skin between their shoulder blades. The microchip is read by a scanner which will display an identification number.
What information is in the microchip?
Microchips store your pet’s identification number, your name, contact number, and address. It does not contain a GPS tracker to help find your pet. It has to be scanned at a vet or animal shelter to find out who the owner is and how to get a hold of them.
How do I change my details on the microchip?
If your address, email or phone number have changed, it’s important that you update this information at the company holding your cat’s microchip details. Firstly, check Identipet, Five Star and BackHome to find out which company has your cat’s microchip records. Then contact them and fill in the online form to update your cat’s details.
A microchip is not a replacement for a collar and ID tags. It is a permanent ID tag.
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