CBS 3 Pet Project: Microchipping Your Pets
PHILADELPHIA (CBS) -- Microchips and ID tags are important things for pets to have so their owners will be able to find them should they ever get lost.
A microchipping procedure is similar to a vaccination where the veterinarian will implant the device inside the dog or cat using a needle. Then the chip can be read with an external scanner that most animal shelters have on hand. This way if a stranger finds your lost dog or cat and brings them to the nearest shelter, staff should be able to scan your pet for a microchip and figure out who the animal belongs to.
The procedure is especially important for cats as Carol Erickson, friend of the Pennsylvania SPCA says cats that aren't microchipped have less than a two percent chance of being returned from a shelter because there is no "stray hold" for this type of animal. That means by state law, cats can be given away as they come into the shelter or may be euthanized if the shelter is full to capacity.
Pet owners cannot possibly plan for every scenario they may encounter with their pet -- from a cat escaping out the front door or a dog getting free from the leash while out on a walk. The important thing rather is for pet owners to be prepared when something like that does happen so they can ensure a happy reunion with their fur baby.
For more information on getting your pet microchipped and to see the list of adoptable animals visit PSPCA.org.