Microchipping helps find lost pets
SPCA Napier Centre animal attendant Rachel Sumner is part of a large team devoted to the welfare of animals. In this weekly column, Rachel talks about some of the pets which have passed through the centre and those still waiting to find their ‘forever hom
When you adopt an SPCA animal, they come with everything done. Each one of our animals come vaccinated, desexed, are up to date with flea and worm treatments, have passed a vet and temperament check, and are microchipped.
A microchip gives your pet the best chance of being reunited with you if they become lost or stolen. If your animal isn’t microchipped it is easy to forget about how important it can be, until you really need it.
We receive multiple calls each week from distressed families missing a beloved pet who isn’t microchipped. This can be a stressful time for pet owners and we do our utmost to find the families of animals who arrive in our care and have clearly had a home. However, we have seen over and over that just because your cat hasn’t turned up here within a week of it going missing, it doesn’t mean your animal won’t show up here in the future.
We have reunited pets with their families 18 months after going missing, and if those cats weren’t microchipped, they never would have found their way home. Whenever an animal comes through SPCA doors the first thing we do is scan it for a microchip, and we love nothing more than seeing animals back in the arms of their elated owners. Vet clinics and councils also do this too.
If your animal is microchipped you can check your details are correct, or update them if they have changed, by visiting the New Zealand
Companion Animal Register online at www.animalregister.co.nz
If your animal is not yet microchipped, we really encourage you to get this done. The next time your pet is booked for a check-up with your vet, be sure to ask them about microchipping your animal too. It is quick and easy procedure and will give your family peace of mind if your pet was ever to become lost.
■ SPCA Napier Centre is located at 31 Mersey St, Pandora and is open Monday to Saturday, 10am-2.30pm. All animals ready for adoption are desexed, microchipped, vaccinated, have had flea and worm treatment, and a vet check. Kittens cost $200 to adopt, adult cats $125, puppies $300 and dogs $250. To find out more about microchipping and its benefits, visit www.spca.nz