We at Making A Difference Rescue believe that micro-chipping our animals is a crucial step in our efforts to protect, save and rescue.  All animals that we ave and adopt out are micro-chipped to our rescue.  We list ourselves as the primary contact in order to ensure their safety, should an adopter move, go on vacation,  change phone numbers, etc.  This way we can always ensure their safe return and prevent their euthanasia if unclaimed due to unforeseen circumstances.  Our animals will forever be an important part of our family, to us, their stories do not end when they have found their forever homes.  We are committed to them for their lifetime.

Each year millions of pets become lost or displaced. In fact, 1 in 3 pets will go missing sometime in their lives.A microchip is an implantable medical device that safely and permanently identifies your pet. Micro-chips have successfully reunited millions of lost pets with their owners, as well as saving lives when lost pets are impounded at shelters.

 

What is a microchip?

A Microchip is a passive, integrated transponder that is about the size of a grain of rice (12mm) and is injected into animals with a 12-gauge needle. The microchip is encapsulated in a biocompatible glass capsule coated with Parylene C to prevent tissue irritation and microchip migration. The microchip does not use batteries but is energized by an electromagnetic field produced by a microchip scanner. The microchip is permanent and will last the life of the pet. Each microchip has a unique identification number that is encoded and locked into its integrated circuit. When the pet is registered in a pet recovery database this identification number links the pet to the owner’s contact information.

 

Why should I microchip my pet?

 

Every year approximately 6 to 8 million pets end up in municipal shelters, animal control facilities and humane societies across the United States (Source: HSUS). Typically, these facilities receive hundreds of lost or displaced pets each week, experience overcrowding and have limited resources. Some of these facilities have a no-kill policy while others have to make hard decisions. Fortunately, most of these facilities are committed to scanning pets upon intake and before disposition and will try to reunite a microchipped pet with its owner. When a microchip is detected, the facility will call a pet recovery service to locate the owner and reunite the pet with them. The system works; each month thousands of lost or displaced pets across the U.S. are reunited with their owners.

 

Does microchipping hurt my pet?

 

Microchips are about the size of a grain of rice and are typically injected between the shoulder blades with a 12-gauge needle. The procedure is similar to receiving routine vaccination through a needle and most pets don’t even react when the microchip is injected. Because the microchip is biocompatible, the pet will not experience any adverse reactions. The microchip provides a safe, permanent form of identification.

 

How do I get my pet microchipped?

 

Many veterinarians and animal control facilities offer microchipping services and host events in their communities.

 

Should I register my pets microchip?

 

Registering your pet in a pet recovery database is the most important step in the microchipping process. Unfortunately, many pet owners forget or will not take the time or effort to register their pet. When an unregistered pet enters an animal control facility the pet could be adopted by another person or group, or the unthinkable can happen. Because unregistered pets are difficult to trace back to their owners these pets have a limited time to be reunited with their owners. Unclaimed pets take up unnecessary resources and cost taxpayers and donors an average of $120.00 in kennel fees. Remember, a microchipped pet has a better chance at being reunited with its owner but only if the pet is registered in a pet recovery database. Once your microchipped pet is registered, your pet can never leave home without positive identification.

Avid Micro-chips

Instructions for Updating Avid micro-chips.

1

Call the 24-hour AVID customer service department at 800-336-2843 for the United States or 0800 652 8 977 for the United Kingdom.
2

Press “5” on your keypad to speak with an AVID customer service representative to update an AVID chip.
3

Speak to the customer service representative about what you need to update.
4

Write down any information you receive from the customer service representative for future reference.