May is National Chip Your Pet Month, and Irving Animal Services (IAS) reminds residents about the importance of microchipping pets.
A small electronic chip, the size of a grain of rice, can quickly assist in reuniting a lost pet with its owner. A microchip is a pet’s permanent electronic identification number, which is inserted under the animal’s skin. When the chip is registered, the chip number is connected to a database with the owner’s contact information.
When a lost pet is found, IAS officers can easily scan the animal’s microchip to find its home and return the dog or cat immediately to its owners. As a result, pets are kept safe and off the streets without being taken to the Irving Animal Care Campus (IACC), 4140 Valley View Lane.
If a resident finds a lost pet, veterinary clinics and animal shelters have chip readers and can scan the pet for a microchip.
Pet owners should also ensure that contact information linked to the pet’s microchip ID is updated annually. Although a microchip is an animal’s permanent identification, pet owners are still encouraged to use a collar with ID tags. Residents can purchase ID tags for $3 to $5 at the IACC.
A missing pet should be reported immediately to IAS by calling (972) 721-2256 or filing a lost pet report at CityofIrving.org/Lost-and-Found. Pet owners also should visit the shelter to look for missing pets.
MICROCHIP SERVICES AVAILABLE
To assist residents, IAS hosts free microchipping events at the IACC throughout the year. Proof of residency is required. Upcoming 2021 events are from 10 a.m. to noon June 26 and Oct. 30. Visit CityofIrving.org/Animal-Services for details.
The IACC also provides microchipping during normal business hours for $10. The cost includes implantation of the chip and microchip registration with 24PetWatch. The implantation process is similar to a pet’s routine vaccination shot.
Pet owners also can contact their veterinarian to request a microchip for their pet.
