May is Chip Your Pet Month, so it’s a perfect time to learn more about dog and cat microchipping. Sometimes, our furry family members wander further than they should or run away because of fear or stress. When this happens, microchipped pets are more likely to find their way home. Having your pet chipped boosts your odds of reuniting with them if someone steals them.

September 19-25, 2021, is Deaf Pet Awareness Week when owners of these special pets celebrate the lives of their faithful companions and the unique relationship they have. While deafness is considered a disability, it’s often overlooked since the pet isn’t struggling with mobility. However, deaf pets need to adapt to a different way of life, just as a dog with an amputated limb or a cat with a missing eye. Proper training and a devoted owner means a deaf dog can still live their best life.

You might not have realized that February is Responsible Pet Owner's Month—let's be honest, it's not something the average person hears about a lot. As veterinarians, however, responsible pet ownership is something we are very passionate about. We see far too many heartbreaking situations in our daily lives due to mistakes that could have been prevented. One of those things is pets that go missing. And trust us—we know that accidents happen. Both dogs and cats can be escape artists, which makes microchipping your pets one of the best things you can do to honor this month.

July 4th gets a bad rap for being the worst holiday for pets, but Halloween brings some concerns of its own. We’re not trying to be the Debbie Downers of the season (you’re welcome for the costume idea, BTW) but, as veterinarians, our job is to keep your fur friends safe. So as you’re carving those pumpkins and getting your wee witches and warlocks ready for the big day, set aside some time to make sure you’re keeping your furry felines and hairy hounds safe, too.

When most people hear the term “microchip”, they think of computers and robots. When you’re told that you should get your pet should be microchipped, you might picture some SciFi version of what is actually going to happen but, trust us, there is nothing quite so ominous involved in the procedure. So let’s talk about what microchipping is and what it isn’t. It’s particularly important to discuss this around this time of year, as the main job of a microchip is to help lost pets get back to their owners.

Did you bring home a new pet for the holidays? Welcoming a furry member to the family is an exciting time, and it can be easy to forget a few simple but important steps to ensure life with your new dog or cat begins on the right paw.

Get a head start on a happy, healthy life together with these tips.

A microchip is a tiny device, about the size of a grain of rice, that is implanted under a pet’s skin. This is done with a needle, so the process is much like getting an injection. Scanners at veterinary clinics, humane societies, and animal shelters across the country can detect these chips, and a national registry permits the return of microchipped pets throughout the United States and Canada.