Did you know lost pets that had been implanted with a microchip were reunited with their owners in nearly three out of four cases according to a national study?
The research indicates the owner-return rate for cats was 20 times higher, and for dogs, the rate was 2.5 times higher for micro-chipped pets than the return rates for all stray cats and dogs that had entered shelters. All in all, owners were found for 72.7 percent of micro-chipped animals. Our local Everett Animal Shelter can attest that implanted microchips help owners and lost pets to reunite quickly, reducing stress on shelters, the animals and their loving owners.
It is important to keep in mind, however, that the chip is only effective when you make sure to keep your information up to date in the registry. The study found that the biggest reason owners couldn’t be contacted about their missing pet was because of an incorrect or disconnected phone number in the registration database.
Interested in getting your furry friend micro-chipped? There will be a Microchip Clinic from 10 a.m. to noon (or up to 200 pets) on Saturday, Aug. 8, at the Langus Riverfront Park in Everett during the annual Mutt Strut event.
Another effective form of animal identification is simply a tag on a collar with the pet’s name and the owner’s phone number. This Saturday only, the Everett Animal Shelter will be selling engraved pet id tags from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. in their lobby. The cost is only $5 per tag.
The Mutt Strut will also be offering the Canine Good Citizenship Test which helps owners identify potential problem behaviors and work with their dogs for better long term socialization. Dogs that pass the test get certificates that say they have the skills to be good citizens. This can be helpful in getting home owner’s and rental insurance and overall good information to know when you’re taking your pet out in public.
The test is made up of 10 components that assess different aspects of your dogs “citizenship.” These include:
- Accepting a friendly stranger
- Sitting politely for petting
- Appearance and grooming
- Out for a walk
- Walking through a crowd
- Sit and down on command and staying in place
- Coming when called
- Reaction to another dog
- Reaction to distraction
- Supervised separation
Micro-chipping and the Canine Good Citizenship Test are sponsored and funded by the Snohomish County Auditor’s Office, Snohomish County Animal Advisory Board and the Snohomish County Animal Benefit Bequest Fund.
All well-behaved pets, certified or not, are invited to compete in other Mutt Strut activities such as races and contests, where attendees can show off their pup’s bark, style, smarts, discipline and athleticism!
Even pet-free guests will enjoy taking in all the happenings. Potential pet owners will have the opportunity to find a furry friend as well. Many agencies will be present with pets available for adoption, and the Everett Animal Shelter is right down the street from the park.
To learn more about the Canine Good Citizenship Test, visit the AKC’s website. For a detailed Mutt Strut event schedule, contest rules or a registration link, please visit everettwa.gov/MuttStrut.
Microchip research was published in a recent issue of the Journal of the American Veterinary Medical Association.
Learn more about the Everett Animal Shelter. Plan a visit, follow us on Facebook and Twitter and check out all of our adoptable pets. And be sure to watch our featured Pet of the Week on the Everett Channel.
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