04/01/2023
For local Houston area pet owners, good to know!
As of February 1st, ๐ฆ๐ข๐๐ซ๐จ๐๐ก๐ข๐ฉ๐ฌ ๐๐ซ๐ ๐๐๐๐๐๐๐๐๐ ๐๐จ๐ซ ๐๐ฅ๐ฅ ๐ฉ๐๐ญ๐ฌ ๐ข๐ง ๐ญ๐ก๐ ๐๐ข๐ญ๐ฒ ๐จ๐ ๐๐จ๐ฎ๐ฌ๐ญ๐จ๐ง! Microchipping your pets is important for several reasons:
1. ๐๐๐ซ๐ฆ๐๐ง๐๐ง๐ญ ๐๐๐๐ง๐ญ๐ข๐๐ข๐๐๐ญ๐ข๐จ๐ง: Microchipping provides permanent identification for your pet, ensuring that if they are lost or separated from you, they can be reunited with you. Microchips are small, painless devices that are implanted under the skin and contain a unique identifier number that can be read by a microchip scanner.
2. ๐๐ฆ๐ฉ๐ซ๐จ๐ฏ๐๐ฌ ๐๐จ๐ฌ๐ญ ๐๐๐ญ ๐๐๐๐จ๐ฏ๐๐ซ๐ฒ: In the event that your pet is lost, a microchip can greatly improve the chances of recovery. If your pet is found and taken to a shelter or veterinarian, they will be scanned for a microchip and, if one is found, the unique identifier number can be used to find your contact information and reunite you with your pet.
3. ๐๐๐ฌ๐ฒ ๐ญ๐จ ๐๐ฉ๐๐๐ญ๐ ๐๐ง๐๐จ๐ซ๐ฆ๐๐ญ๐ข๐จ๐ง: Microchips can be updated with your current contact information, so if you move or change phone numbers, you can ensure that your pet's microchip always has your most up-to-date information.
4. ๐๐จ ๐๐๐ญ๐ญ๐๐ซ๐ฒ ๐๐๐ช๐ฎ๐ข๐ซ๐๐: Microchips do not require batteries or any external power source, so they will last for the life of your pet.
5. ๐๐จ๐ฌ๐ญ-๐๐๐๐๐๐ญ๐ข๐ฏ๐: Microchipping is a one-time cost that is relatively low and can be done during a routine veterinary visit. It is a cost-effective way to ensure that your pet is permanently identified, which can be particularly important if they are lost.
If you do not have your pet chipped yet, there are plenty of low-cost places that can help!
BARC- $15
3200 Carr Street, Houston, TX 77026
https://www.houstontx.gov/barc/wellnesscenter.html
Citizens for Animal Protection- $30
17555 Katy Freeway Houston, Texas 77094
281-497-0591
PetCare Express- $35
2501 W Holcombe Blvd, Suite D. Houston, TX 77030-1955
713-592-9977
and
6220 W. 43rd St. Houston, TX 77092
832-649-3179
Harris County Pets- $15
612 Canino Rd, Houston, TX 77076
281-999-3191
Houston Pets Alive- $25
2800 Antoine Dr. Suite #2854, Houston, TX 77092
713-492-2541
We hope all pet parents, in Houston and elsewhere, will make sure their pets are microchipped, AND don't forget to register the microchip with your information after implantation! Check that your pet's existing chip is registered here: https://www.aaha.org/your-pet/pet-microchip-lookup/microchip-search/
