Pet's microchip helped reunite girl, 3, parents / FLA

Posted: Tue Aug 15, 2006 12:18 pm

Pet's microchip helped reunite girl, 3, parents

Tuesday, August 15, 2006

At least once a year, I nag everyone to be sure that their pets are microchipped.

These rice-sized computer chips each have a unique code that can be scanned by veterinarians and animal shelters. A quick call to the company that issued the chip gives the name and phone number of the pet's owner. Lots of stray animals have been reunited with their owners because of these chips.

Last month in Port St. Lucie, Fla., a lost child was reunited with her parents because of one. According to a story on the TC Palm Local News Web page, a 3-year-old girl slipped out of her home while her parents slept. The family dog, a mixed breed named Sam, followed her. A motorist saw the child walking alone and called police. A quick scan of Sam revealed a microchip, which gave the police the information they needed to find the child's parents. Because the chip quickly led the police to the information they needed, they didn't have to issue an Amber Alert. (For more on the story, go to www1.tcpalm.com/tcp/local_news/article/0,2545,TCP_16736_4839308,00.html .)

Microchips are permanently inserted into the animal with a needle; they're no more painful than having a vaccine. They're inexpensive (usually under $30) and available at all veterinary offices. Also, some animal shelters regularly hold community microchipping events. Having a microchip on your pet is always a smart idea.

As the family in Florida learned, you can never tell what good can come from doing something smart.

-- Deborah Wood

http://www.oregonlive.com/living/oregonian/index.ssf?/base/living/1155594325281200.xml&coll=7