National Pet Identification Week
April 17-23, 2016
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.
Josie
Featured dog: Josie
Super-friendly, lots of energy and really bright – that’s Josie! She loves meeting new people because she’s hoping one of them will take her home. She may act shy at first until she knows you want to play or walk with her then she is very outgoing and friendly. She came to the shelter because she did not get along with one of the dogs in the home but was fine with the other dog. Approx 18 months old
Other Available dogs:
Cherish – Female 4 yr old boxer. Friendly, housetrained, knows basic commands
Roddy- M 1-2 years old border/Aussie. High energy. Needs high fenced yard
Athena
Copper
Featured cats: Athena and Copper
Athena and Copper are sister and brother looking for a home together if at all possible. they have been together since birth. These handsome cats were surrendered by their owner due to a change in life circumstances, and they’re anxious to get back to a home environment. Athena is more energetic and playful while Copper is more laid-back and loving. Both can be very affectionate and snuggly and appreciate having someone that takes the time to get to know them. Athena talks and will sit up like a dog to beg for attention and follow you around. Copper watches everything and takes his time to know you , he loves to be brushed and petted.
Other available cats: Belle 5yr old whose owner died and she is now at shelter. Very friendly and loving.
All animals will be spayed or neutered prior to leaving shelter and receive 1 year rabies vaccination and city license. Ages are approximate.
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 changed 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
