Veterinarian in downtown Jacksonville, FL explains the importance of microchipping for your pet

Pet parents in the downtown Jacksonville, FL area who are interested in working with a veterinarian for routine services are encouraged to visit Dr. Venkat Gutta and the team at San Marco Animal Hospital. Our practice is here to help pet owners like you understand the importance of treatments such as microchipping for your pet. We offer this and other services in our state-of-the-art pet facility.

What is microchipping?

Dr. Venkat Gutta explains microchipping as a way of ensuring a pet returns home if lost. Even indoor cats and dogs who are rarely outside can still get lost, especially if they sneak out of a door or window that a pet owner leaves open. By microchipping your pet, you can greatly increase the chances of your pet being reunited with you if found. This is because most intake facilities that bring in stray or lost pets have a universal scanner that is used to check for microchipping. At San Marco Animal Hospital, we find that the likelihood of your pet returning to you if lost and microchipped is twenty times more likely than if your pet is not. Pets that are not microchipped and are not able to be returned to their owner may be re-homed or euthanized. This is what makes microchipping a smart choice for pet owners.

How is microchipping performed?

Dr. Venkat Gutta of San Marco Animal Hospital explains the process of microchipping to pet parents. A special injectable is used to insert a small device about the size of a piece of rice into the loose skin between the pet’s shoulder blades. This is done quickly and comfortably, with a pain level similar to that of a standard inoculation. It can be done during any veterinarian visit if requested.

What are the benefits of microchipping?

Microchipping is:

• Minimally invasive
• Safe
• Affordable
• Private and discreet
• Available for cats and dogs
• A great way to save your pet

Why should I microchip my pet?

Even indoor pets can get loose from the house, and by microchipping your dogs and cats, you can greatly increase the chances of your pet returning to your home. Even the most diligent of pet owners can experience the heartbreak of a lost pet, and instead of risking the re-homing or euthanizing of your pet if it cannot be reunited with you, pet owners can increase the chances of seeing their pet after getting lost by using microchipping services. This can reduce anxiety for pet owners whose pets have been displaced.

Can people get my personal information from a microchip?

Many pet owners are worried about their personal information being accessed by another individual through the microchip. The microchip used for pets at San Marco Animal Hospital can only be read with a special scanner that is used by rescues, animal control facilities, and veterinarians in the area. It has a unique ID number that can be linked with a name and address, but it is important to note that your personal information is not stored in the microchip itself but rather the ID number in the microchip can be linked to a database with your name, home address, and contact phone numbers. This is not only a reliable way to ensure protection of your data but also a safe way to ensure the return of your pet through proper facilities.

Can a microchip be removed?

There is typically no reason to remove a microchip from a pet. If you move or your pet changes owners, you can visit with our team to update your contact information in our database. We encourage pet owners to keep the information as current as possible to ensure they can be connected with their pet in the event of displacement. This ensures your pet’s safety and the increased chances of your pet being returned.

Learn about the importance of microchipping your pet today!

The team at San Marco Animal Hospital is pleased to provide pets with microchipping services for their safety. Dr. Venkat Gutta encourages pet owners in the area of Jacksonville, FL to seriously consider the benefits of providing this service in the event their dog or cat goes missing. Call the office at 904-516-9767 to discuss this and other preventative procedures with our team at our practice located at 1546 San Marco Boulevard.