It is hard to believe that someone would intentionally come into your yard and take one of your most beloved family members. It is happening more and more and especially to the Jack Russell Terrier because they are a trendy pet these days. Statistics show that one out of three family pets will be lost and only 10% of these pets will be identified and recovered. Although identification and rabies tags help identify some animals, most animals that arrive at shelters are not wearing any collar. Tattooing is one means of permanent identification that veterinarians highly recommend. Now however, more and more animal shelters and humane societies have the capabilities of identifying and reading microchips injected under the skin of dogs, cats and birds to help locate their rightful owners. Each tiny microchip, encased in biocompatible glass, has an identification number programmed into it. The chip is small enough to fit inside a hypodermic needle and is injected under the skin overlying the shoulder blades of the pet. The chip is then registered in a central database in which shelters cans access owner information 24 hours a day. to help in the recovery of the pet. The four major companies marketing the microchips now have an international standard which they must follow which will help to make all databases compatible and will hopefully produce an universal scanner. If your pet is permanent identifiable by several means it should make it easier for officers to return your pet in a timely fashion. For more information on microchips as another means of permanent identification contact your veterinarian or local animal shelter.
If there was enough interest we could possibly have a "microchipping clinic" which we could have microchips inserted a t a reduced cost for RMJRTN members (we'd need at least 30 dogs). Please contact Dr. Katy Wilson at 303-688-2480 if you are interested.
