As a pet owner, one of your worst fears is your beloved companion slipping out your open door or gate without a collar or ID tags. A lost pet is always a terrifying experience, despite them wearing a collar and tags, since the world is fraught with danger for a pet on the run. To ensure a happy reunion with your furry loved one, invest in a microchip, the only permanent identification form. Collars can easily break or be removed, and ID tags can become worn and illegible. A microchip cannot track your pet, but can offer a simple identification method that cannot be removed, and does not break. To help illustrate the important role microchips play in reuniting lost pets with their owners, read Lola’s story. 

Lola the lost calico

Lola the longhaired calico was a gorgeous feline in her prime, with a penchant for chasing moving objects to keep her sleek physique. Her family loved her dearly, and ensured she stayed safe and healthy by keeping her indoors, so Lola had to be content with bird-watching through the window, and pouncing on her robotic mouse toy.

While gazing out the window one day, Lola noticed a fallen nest of baby birds. The cheeping babies’ jerky motions incited her predatory nature, and she was eager to pounce. Waiting for her chance, she lurked by the front door, which finally opened when her family returned from their errands. Seizing the moment of inattention, she bolted out the door, straight for the nest. 

But, startled by her family’s screams of horror, Lola fled across the yard, through the bushes, and down the road, in a mindless panic in the great outdoors. She ran and ran, crossing many streets unscathed, until she ended up in a local park surrounded by woods. Exhausted, she made a nest in a pile of leaves and rested.

The next day, a small child playing in the park found Lola, but, frightened by the stranger, she bolted again. Sadly, all her running led her further from home.

After days of running, Lola was weak and weary. Finally, she sniffed a delightful smell, and followed her nose to a porch that boasted a kitty cuisine assortment. The current clientele all looked a bit rough, but Lola supposed she also was unkempt. Enticed by the wonderful odor of a freshly opened cat-food can, Lola let her guard down, and joined the chow line. Next minute, while she was distracted with gorging herself, Lola found herself snatched up by an elderly woman and unable to struggle against being placed in a cat carrier, because she was frozen with fear. 

Fortunately for Lola, the woman was kind, and cooed at her captive, “Let’s take you to the animal shelter to see if you have a microchip. You’re much too pretty to be homeless.”

At the local shelter, Lola was scanned for a microchip, and her unique identification number popped up. After searching in the database for the microchip registration company, the company was called, and they released Lola’s owner’s contact information, which, fortunately, her owners had kept up-to-date. 

Lola’s family jumped into the car, and began the three-hour trek to pick up their missing cat. Safe and sound back in her family’s arms, Lola vowed to never venture another whisker outdoors again. 

Pet microchipping facts

Lola’s story happens every day, often with a much sadder ending. Many pets still lack a microchip, which may be their only way to be successfully reunited with their families. To ensure your furry friend has a chance of finding their way back home, keep on a well-fitting collar with legible, updated ID tags at all times. Microchip your pet as well, if you haven’t already, as microchips are the only permanent identification form that cannot be removed. 

According to ASPCA data, about 710,000 animals who enter shelters as strays are returned to their owners. Of those, 620,000 are dogs and only 90,000 are cats, since less than 2% of cats without microchips were returned home. However, a microchipped cat has a return-to-owner rate 20 times higher than a cat who is not microchipped, which is an excellent reason for microchipping your pet. 

Is your furry pal an excellent escape artist? Worry less about finding your beloved companion if they slip out the door by calling Stone Ridge Veterinary Medical Center – Willis, to schedule a microchip appointment with our team.