Zookeeper's Lounge

Who has all their dogs/cats microchipped?

I ask because I heard yet ANOTHER story today of someone's dog getting lost, hit by a car, and then found by the humane society and euthanized on the spot because it had no collar or microchip. It was an otherwise healthy dog, and its wounds were absolutely treatable, but what many people don't know is that the humane society does not turn in injured strays to shelters, because there simply aren't the funds to care for them.

I hate hearing stories like that. They make me so sad. So I'm gonna be annoying and make a public plea for everyone who owns a cat or dog to at least consider getting them microchipped.

Collars are a simple, cheap way to ID your dog or cat. But collars can be broken, and tags can fall off--particularly when you've fitted your pet with one of those "anti-choke" collars that will snap open if they are snagged on something.

Please, please please, if you have a pet, whether or not he/she goes outside, take the time to get them microchipped. It's not very expensive, it takes all of 15 minutes, and it is painless and harmless to your pet.

Learn more about microchipping:

Microchipping FAQ

Known issues with microchipping

How useful microchipping can be

Microchipping is defintely something I recommend for any and all pet owners whose animals go outdoors on a regular basis. I admit my cat hasn't been microchipped or has a collar but she stays ndoors and I keep a very close eye when she's out in the backyard. But if I had a dog or an outdoor cat microchipping is the way to go. It also prevetns against people taking your pet. Some people find a lost pet that belongs to someone but with no collar or I.D. they claim the pet as their own. Humane Societies don't always have money or space to take in strays but if an animal is microchipped then it automatically will be cared for. Luna, I totally agree with your plea and I strongly urge those who own pets that frequent the outdoors to get them microchipped. Even those that stay inside, there is always a way to escape so get them microchipped too. The only way animals can have better welfare is if WE make the effort to help them and this is a great place to start.

Our dog is microchipped. The cat isn't but she has a collar... she stays indoors and doesn't really try to get out even.

both of my cats are microchiped

my dog has a tattoo, I hope that is good enough

our 3 cats will be getting microchipped on this next visit to the vet, later this month!

I think that is so sad....euthanized on the spot! I would be devastated if that happened to my dog. What a terrible story. But I agree, microchipping is the way to go.

And also, in the words of Bob Barker, "Help control the pet population. Have your pet spayed or neutered." By controlling reproduction we free up space in animal shelters, thereby avoiding events such as this.

Maximillion, the cat, Lewis is neutered but not microchipped. He never, ever goes outside. I'll talk to RLK and see what she thinks. They moved into a new house two weeks ago. The back yard backs onto a fairly busy through street. There's always a chance he could slip out.

I'll share your concerns with my two best friends at work. They both have female cats they are excessively fond of.

I support your efforts for microchipping and for spay/nuetering and will share this information with anyone I speak to at the college who has a pet.

Only one of my pets has a microchip, and she's really the only one that might go

a distance before coming back home. Her name is Callie and she's a cat.

My dad is seriously thinking about turning my 3 cats outdoors, because they pee

on the floor. But that could only be one of the 2 I suspect. My oldest cat, Simsim

who is 9, might have a bladder problem, and Callie might have one 2. But I told

my dad to wait until we can get them microchips before they are sent outside.

My dog Blue and fat cat Tycho both have collors on, and are to stupid to figure

how to get them off like S+C.