Check the Chip Day
August 15, Friday
History of the holiday
The day was established at the initiative of the American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA) and the American Animal Hospital Association (AAHA). Its goal is to raise awareness about pet identification technologies and the importance of using them correctly.
Why a microchip is needed
A microchip is a tiny electronic device the size of a grain of rice that is implanted under the animal’s skin. It contains a unique identification number linked to the owner’s information in a specialized database.
Benefits:
* Simplifies finding a lost pet.
* Works throughout the animal’s lifetime.
* Cannot be lost or broken like a regular collar with a tag.
How it is celebrated
On this day, many veterinary clinics and shelters hold microchip check events, and sometimes offer free microchipping. Owners are recommended to:
* Scan their pet’s microchip with a reader.
* Ensure that the contact information in the database is up to date.
* Register the chip if it has not been done yet.
Interesting facts
* Studies show that having a microchip more than doubles the chances of a lost animal being returned home.
* Microchips do not contain GPS trackers — they only store a unique code that helps locate the owner through a database.