Page 14 - Blue Valley News August/September 2021

ESTATE NEWS

t can happen in the blink of an eye –
someone leaves your garden gate open
Iand when you call Skippy for his dinner
there’s only silence. Your dog has disappeared.
Finding your dog has gone missing is
traumatic, but there are steps you can take
to increase the chances of locating a lost pet.
While it’s always a good idea for your dog
to have an ID tag with your phone number,
this can fall off. Your best bet is to have your
pet fitted with a microchip because then any
vet, shelter or rescue group would be able to
check immediately who he belongs to with a
quick scan.

What is a microchip?
The chip is a tiny transponder implanted
under the skin, usually in the scruff of the
neck, using a syringe. The chip contains a
unique code which is registered on the
maker’s database and also recorded by
your vet in your pet’s file. It has no power
source so doesn’t need recharging and is
made from inert materials that won’t cause
a reaction in the body. When a lost pet is
brought to a vet, shelter or rescue group,
a scanner is used to see if the animal has the chip is used to retrieve the owner’s collar to alert people to take a lost animal
a chip. If one is detected, the microchip information. Microchip companies often to be scanned.
registry is called and the unique code on supply a tag for you to attach to your pet’s
Who can see the database?
Authorised users such as vets, the SPCA
and Animal Welfare Society have access to
microchip companies’ databases.

What does it cost?
Prices vary depending on where you have it
done and which manufacturer you choose.
Welfare organisations offer good rates – the
SPCA charges about R250 – and many rescue
groups also offer discounted rates at certain
vets. There’s often an annual service fee
(Identipet’s is around R55).

Does it hurt?
Inserting a microchip doesn’t require
surgery or anaesthetic. The needle is
thicker than the one used for inoculations,
and although some animals do experience
some pain, the procedure is over quickly.

Which animals can be
microchipped?
All pets can be chipped, from a koi fish or
parrot to dogs and cats. BV

12 • Issue 4 2021 • BLUE VALLEY NEWS