Having an animal get lost is a nightmare for any loving pet owner. Even with precautionary measures like fences and leashes, curious cats and dogs can break loose and fail to find their way back home. The HomeAgain™ microchip offers a high-tech solution to finding lost pets. The veterinarians at New York’s Fairport Animal Hospital will explain how this technology works and why it’s a worthwhile investment for any pet owner.

A HomeAgain microchip is a permanent means of identification for your pet. Unlike a collar that can be removed, a microchip is injected under the animal’s skin using a hypodermic needle. The chip contains a unique identification number registered to the animal in which it was implanted. When scanned by the proper device, it allows the ID number to be read and animal to be identified through the microchip manufacturer’s registry.

By offering a tamperproof means of identification, a microchip increases the odds of an animal being returned to its owner if lost or stolen. Every year, millions of pets are lost without identification. Of these, an estimated 90% do not return home. However, microchipping is changing these statistics, and the HomeAgain microchip has been responsible for finding more than 1 million lost pets to date.

Getting your animal microchipped is well worth the cost and effort. The one-time chip implantation procedure requires no surgery or anesthesia and can be provided by a veterinarian during a routine checkup. However, the microchip doesn’t contain a pet’s medical information, so it’s not a replacement for a collar with tags that include details such as whether a dog has been vaccinated or is diabetic.

If you have questions about microchipping, the veterinarians at Fairport Animal Hospital in New York can help. These compassionate animal health professionals are always happy to share their knowledge with pet owners. Visit their website to find out more about the state-of-the-art diagnostic and treatment services offered by the pet clinic, from HomeAgain microchipping to ultrasonic imaging and digital radiology. To schedule an appointment for your animal, call (585) 388-1070.