A properly registered microchip, about the size of a grain of rice, can make the difference between a quick reunion between pet and owner, a long-term separation, or complete loss, says Heritage. The Humane Society says: In 2023, Greater Williamsburg's largest animal shelter took in 887 stray or missing pets brought in by animal control or good Samaritans. Out of that huge number of pets, only 211 were reunited with their owners. A recent reunion that caught the attention of the community shows how to make the most of your microchip and shed only tears of joy.
According to the Humane Society, one in three pets goes missing during their lifetime, which equates to 10 million pets each year. A study published by the Journal of the AVMA found that only 22% of lost dogs entering shelters were returned to their families, but that percentage increased if the dogs were microchipped. It was revealed that the number had increased to more than 52%.
Even better results were obtained in felines. One in 50 cats in animal shelters are returned to their owners, but nearly two in five microchipped cats were reunited with their families, the study said. There is.
Unfortunately, only 6 out of 10 pets are microchipped, and this oversight can prevent lost pets from being reunited with their families.
The mystery of microchips solved
Recently, the Heritage Humane Society found itself mired in a microchip mystery. Two beauties escape from a cat sitter on the opposite bank of the James River before Thanksgiving. Over the next few weeks, they were mysteriously placed in a box with five other animals, and eventually ended up at an animal shelter in a neighboring county.
In accordance with guidelines, the shelter held the kittens in a lost-and-found facility for 10 days in case the owner filed a lost pet report. Both cats were microchipped, but because they were not registered, the shelter had no way of contacting them because the microchips only contained the owner's name and no contact information. I couldn't do it. If the 10-day holding period ended and the pets were not reported as lost, by law they could be adopted because they were unclaimed. Overflowing with pets, the shelter called other local shelters to see if they had space. The Heritage Humane Society answered the call and accepted some pets for adoption, including her two cats, to alleviate overcrowding.
A cat was placed in a foster home, and the foster family wanted to adopt the cat. The other one was accepted. The shelter updated the new pet's microchip as part of the adoption process and registered the cat's new owner. The previous owner then happened to contact a microchip company and found out that her cat had been adopted from the Heritage Humane Society. Her previous owner posted on social media, and soon the local pet lover community began helping track down her cat. Her new owner understood the situation and she quickly became attached to her, but she returned the cat so that her previous owner could take her in with the cat she had placed in her foster home. Ta.
How can microchips help missing people?
This story is about the reunion of a community dedicated to animal welfare. It's also an opportunity for shelters to share helpful tips about microchipping and what to do if your pet goes missing.
All cats and dogs adopted by Heritage Humane Society are already microchipped. Throughout the adoption process, staff will meet with the new owners and teach them how to contact the microchip company so they can update their contact information if they move. If your pet goes missing and is microchipped with accurate information, anyone who finds the missing pet can bring it to an animal shelter or veterinarian's office. You can go there and scan your pet to find its owner. In any case, if a pet goes missing, owners are encouraged to file a lost pet report with their local shelter.
For pets that have not been adopted from a shelter or are not microchipped, this is a simple procedure that can be performed by your pet's veterinarian. A microchip is only effective if the owner's name and contact information is registered. It is not a GPS device to track your pet.
The Heritage Humane Society recommends:
- Have a current photo of your pet.
- Keep contact information for local animal shelters and animal control on hand, such as this contact list for Heritage Humane Society.
- If your pet is microchipped, be sure to register the microchip number with the manufacturer so that we can match the pet to its owner.
- Make sure your pet's collar is fastened securely so it doesn't easily slip on its head and includes an identification tag with the owner's contact information in addition to the rabies tag.
If your pet goes missing, the Heritage Humane Society recommends the following:
- Submit a lost pet report online to your local shelter with a recent photo of your pet.
- Post on your social media pages. Many communities have Facebook pages for local lost pets. Within the Greater Williamsburg area are Lost and Found – Williamsburg/Upper YC/JCC/New Kent/Charles City.
- Print a flyer and share it with pet businesses such as pet supply stores, veterinary clinics, groomers, local police and fire departments, and more. Include a photo of your pet and a description including breed, age, weight, color, and any special identifying characteristics. Also include your contact information and the date and area where your pet was last seen.
- If your pet is microchipped and registered in our database, please notify the company that your pet is missing.
- Please alert your neighbors and residents of the area.
- Once your pet is found, don't forget to share the good news with others and on social media so the search ends.
adoptable pets
Shelters are filled with homeless pets who are just as eager to find a forever home as they are to microchip their contact information. Currently, nearly 170 dogs, cats, and small pets are in our care. Adoptable pets can be met during Heritage His Humane Society visitation and adoption hours on Tuesdays from 12:00 pm to 4:30 pm. Through Sun.
The Heritage Humane Society welcomes donations, including sponsorship of pet adoption fees, such as that provided by the Wes Strong Foundation.
For more information, visit HeritageHumane.org, call 757-221-0150, or visit The Heritage Humane Society, 430 Waller Mill Rd, Williamsburg, VA 23185.
What makes sponsored content possible?
Be kind to them all, love them all, save them all.
