National Pet Identification Week
April 19-25, 2015

A well-fitted collar with a current ID tag is arguably a pet’s best chance at coming home again if lost, but it’s not a perfect system. Some animals are experts at getting out of their collars, tags fall off or aren’t kept updated, and pet thieves toss the collar the second they grab an animal. Tags can fade, rust, or are scratched and be impossible to read. Collars can tear or slip off, or even worse, be caught on something and hurt or kill him.

Even if your pet is an “indoor’ animal safe inside, a guest or a repair person could easily leave the door hanging open, or a screen could come loose from an open window. Unaltered pets in particular will take any chance to roam. There’s a possibility that your house could be damaged in a storm, fire, or other natural disaster, causing your animal to run away in fear. Pets can even be stolen-particularly birds and exotic or purebred animals. No matter how closely you watch your favorite animal friend, there’s always a chance they could get out, and if there isn’t any ID, it will be extremely hard to find him/her.

According to the American Humane Association, only about seventeen percent of lost dogs and two percent of cats ever find their way back from shelters to their original owners. Almost 20 million pets are euthanized every year because their owners can’t be found. To give your pet the best chance to be identified, no matter how far he roams, have him implanted with a microchip.

Microchips are about the size of a grain of rice, the chip is implanted, typically beneath the skin over an animal’s shoulder blades. The chip is made out of an inert, biocompatible substance, which means it won’t cause an allergic reaction in your pet, and it won’t degenerate over time. Once in place, the number on the chip can be read with a hand-held scanner, and that number is matched with contact information for a pet’s owner. The chip doesn’t have an internal battery or power source. When the microchip reader is passed over it, it gets enough power from the reader to transmit the pet’s ID number. Since there’s no battery and no moving parts, there’s nothing to wear out or replace. The chip can’t be lost or damaged, and it lasts for the pet’s lifetime.

The procedure is simple, routine, and painless, and it doesn’t require any anesthesia. Your pet simply gets an injection just under the loose skin between the shoulder blades; it’s a lot like being vaccinated.

The number on the computer chip is entered in an international database. If your dog or cat is found, an animal hospital, shelter, use a microchip reader to read the unique ID number contained on the chip. The veterinarian or worker then calls the database, or accesses it on the computer, and enters the number given off by the microchip. The database matches the number to your name and phone number.

The price can vary from one veterinarian to another, many veterinarians will charge even less if they perform the implantation at the same time as another procedure, like spaying, neutering, or dental work. It’s a one-time fee; the chip never needs maintenance or replacement.

One very important factor to remember is:
It does not good to have your pet implanted with a microchip if you do not register the information and/or keep the information updated if you change phone numbers or move to another location.

Everyone thinks that leashes, fences, and doors are enough to keep your pet safe at home. Remember, accidents happen, and your pet depends on you to protect her against the things that could go wrong. With a little effort now, you can take a big step toward ensuring that your pet will be with you in the future.
All pets should wear identification tags at all times. Tags should include a local contact number, as well as a number for a friend or out-of-town relative. Microchips provide an important extra level of protection in the event your pet becomes separated from his collar and tags. Providing your pet with both tags and a microchip can help ensure a happy reunion if the unthinkable happens: your beloved pet gets lost.
DSCN1723Featured dog- Robin M 10 month old pit bull blend
If your household is looking for an active and fun loving companion then come on down to the shelter and meet Robin. He came from living in a back yard; this playful 10 month old pup is pit bull terrier blend. He is eager to please, but will need consistent training and structure in order to fit your lifestyle. His enthusiasm and excitement for life is endearing but will need to be channeled into rigorous activities. He will need continued basic training and socialization to keep him the best canine he can be. He loves toys and of course doggie treats. He is doing well with his leash training, sit, stay and come. Because he is so active and strong we recommend a home with No young children. Very unusual coloration and markings
Featured Cat- Toby M 2 year old gray tabby with white markingsToby 1
My shelter name is Toby and I have only been here a few weeks, but it seems like forever. How did a very large, very handsome, cat wind up as a stray? I thought that I had a home and family that loved me once. I will never understand why they did not come to take me home and that now I have to be in a cage. I was found on the street and brought to the shelter. It would seem that I am not too fond of other cats; he will play with toys but prefers to sit on top of the kennels watching everything going on around him and just prefer to soak up all of the love and attention for himself. I Toby is one laid back cat. He has supervisor written all over his personality.
All animals will be spayed or neutered prior to leaving shelter and receive 1 year rabies vaccination and city license. Ages are approximated.

The City of Mesquite Animal Shelter located at 795 Hardy Way is open for adoptions from 11am until 1 pm, Monday through Saturday, Sunday 1pm -3pm. Please call 702-346-7415 during these hours to speak to the front desk. Animal Control may be reached by phone or voicemail at 702-346-5268.
The animals submitted to the media may have changes so please visit our Petfinder website for a current listing and more detailed information on the animals. www.mesquiteanimalshelter.petfinder.com
Please also check our Facebook pages for lost and found animals along with pet information. https://www.facebook.com/MesquiteNVAnimalControl and https://www.facebook.com/FRIENDSOFMESQUITENVANIMALSHELTER