Our pets can be master escape artists. Whether scaling the backyard fence, bolting through an open door, or taking after a squirrel – while taking their leash along with them – even the most well-behaved pet can’t avoid the temptation of a little taste of freedom.

Unfortunately, sometimes our furry adventurers can’t always find their way back home, sending both them and our families into a panic. According to the American Veterinary Medical Association, 10 million dogs or cats are lost or stolen in the U.S. each year. If they do end up in a shelter, only 22 percent of them are reunited with their families.

During National Check the Chip Day on August 15, the team at Hawthorne Animal Hospital encourages you to verify that your pet’s microchip information is up-to-date (especially if you’ve recently moved), or if your dog or cat is not chipped, to schedule an appointment with your veterinarian as soon as possible.

No bigger than a grain of rice, a microchip is a radio-frequency identification tag that can be easily implanted beneath your pet’s skin between their shoulder blades. The procedure is done in seconds, requires zero sedation, and is no more painful than a standard vaccine or blood draw. The microchip isn’t a tracker, but houses a unique identification number that can be scanned by a vet or shelter if your pet becomes lost.

Pets that are adopted from Madison County rescue groups are usually microchipped as part of their adoption fee. However, in most cases, the identification number is associated with the shelter. To transfer the registration information to your personal phone number or email, be sure to refer to the information provided by the rescue group.

To get your pet back home where they belong in the event they go missing, here are three important steps to take:

1. In addition to microchipping your pet, ensure they wear a collar ID tag that includes their name and your best contact information at all times. Consider investing in a GPS tag or smart collar that tracks their location as well.
2. If your pet does a disappearing act, contact your local animal shelters, rescue groups, and veterinarian offices with a description of your dog or cat. Let them know if your pet has been microchipped.
3. Post photos of your dog or cat on local social media groups, such as Lost and Found Pets of Madison County, Illinois.

Planning ahead is the best way to protect your pet. Research from the American Kennel Club found that microchipped pets are 200 percent more likely to return home than their non-microchipped buddies. For easy and affordable microchipping options, take advantage of a microchip clinic through a local rescue group or schedule an appointment with the team at Hawthorne. Microchipping and registration can be added to any of our pet wellness plans for just a few dollars a month, ensuring your dog or cat is safe all year round!