Technology has come a long way in the past few decades, and fortunately, we’ve been able to put many such advances to good use—particularly when it comes to protecting your family, as this is PetHub’s major priority.  Just as you carry ID to identify yourself should you encounter danger or get in an accident; your pet also needs ID to make sure they’re protected when out in the world. Unfortunately, too many pets that end up in shelters or become victims of life as a stray were once someone’s loyal companion, a beloved family member whose only mistake was taking a wrong turn.

 

While there are numerous things you should do to protect your pet from harm, including keeping them up-to-date on their vaccinations, making sure your pet is licensed, and that they are wearing a pet ID tag on their collar, one of the most useful steps is implanting a microchip. Affordable, quick and simple, a microchip can easily save your pet’s life should they end up in a shelter or picked up by animal control.

Injected by a professional by use of a syringe, having your pet microchipped is no more dangerous or uncomfortable than taking them to have their yearly vaccinations. Once implanted, the chip stores information on your pet’s identity, including their name, age, breed, any illnesses or medications that they needs, and your personal contact information as well. Simply reading the information on the microchip can help get your beloved family pet out of the shelter system, and back home safe where they belong.

 

In most cases, having a chip implanted is a once-in-a-lifetime experience for your pet, and many local pet suppliers and municipal animal care facilities host events that encourage pet parents to come out and have their cats and dogs chipped. The entire process takes just a few minutes, and depending upon where you live and where you go to have the procedure performed, costs between $10 and $75. Many low-cost veterinarians and other animal care providers perform this service at a discount, knowing the lifesaving advantages the procedure offers.

Unfortunately, there’s no way to implant a GPS tracking device that keeps you updated on your pet’s whereabouts. The purpose of a microchip is simply to identify your pet, keep professionals updated on any medications or health concerns that relate to your pet, and to reunite you with your beloved friend.

 

There are GPS tracking devices that attach to your pet’s collar that may be advantageous if you’re worried about your pet wandering off. However, a very high number of lost animals are found without their collars, so an ID tag and GPS device are still not nearly as effective as the microchip. Some pet parents choose to invest in all three. However, the benefits of the microchip are extensive, due to the fact that the technology is designed to last a lifetime and goes wherever your pet happens to be—even if they lose their collar and leash.

PetHub is not a resource for having a chip implanted into your pet, but can help you provide supplemental protection if your pet is lost or stolen. PetHub offers ID tags, which, like a license tag, can be worn around the collar. If found, the PetHub ID tag can help identify an animal that’s been found through the website. Each pet’s unique tag number links to a profile page for the pet, which includes a picture and physical description, license ID number, microchip ID number, medical and vaccination records, and other information that will help identify your pet and keep them safe. Unlike a traditional ID tag that can hold at max two phone numbers, PetHub ID tags can hold multiple bits of contact info, such as multiple phone numbers and emails.

 

This is particularly useful if your pet is found by a neighbor or at someone’s home, where the person making the rescue is unlikely to have access to a microchip reader, but can find information on you and your pet via the Internet, helping to reunite you quickly and without extra worry, expense, or difficulty.

 

In today’s day and age, it’s more important than ever to give your pet the gift of safety, especially if they are prone to taking off and exploring without much warning. While there are never any guarantees that your pet will encounter danger, we help provide a variety of alternatives to ensure that in the worst-case scenario, your pet will be returned to you, safe and sound.