I hope everyone is doing well and has stayed safe during the pandemic. My husband and I are full vaccinated, though we do still wear masks and take precautions. But I am looking forward to festivals and traveling again and I hope you are too!
Hopefully you have kept your pet’s health and vaccinations up-to-date including flea and heart worm treatments. Personally, I have switched to using a mobile vet and I love it. Our cat Harold got so stressed out going to the vet and was acting out, being very aggressive, even after giving him a “happy pill.” We started using Dr. Ashley Tahir and I can’t say enough good things about her and her vet tech. They are very professional and Dr. Ashley is incredibly knowledgable. During Harold’s exam, he was calm and friendly and let Dr. Ashley examine him. He got a little hissy with the prick of the vaccinations, but all in all, he was so much better than when he had to be loaded into a carrier and taken to the vet. Check out her website.
August 15 is National Check The Chip Day, so this month on the Petit Pet Care blog we’re providing you with the information you need about pet microchipping. If your fur baby already has a chip, now is the time to be sure your registry info is up to date. If your four-legged (or feathered) family member doesn’t yet have a chip, read on – there are a number of good reasons for you to consider getting one.
It’s a pet parent’s worse nightmare – a fur baby gone missing. No one wants to ever be in that position and yet thousands of families experience this heartbreak every year; in fact, it is estimated that somewhere a pet is lost every seven seconds. Thankfully, technology has a solution that can help return lost animals safely to their homes.
A door or gate left ajar, even an open car window can provide an easy escape for a curious pet to dart out and to take off – usually to give chase after another animal, and end up well away from home. All it takes is a split second when no one is looking for a beloved family pet to slip out of eyesight or even be snatched up by someone.
Heartbreaking, stressful, traumatic, frightening, and yet preventable. Microchips are implantable computer chips that transmit an encoded number to a special scanner that allows a pet to be easily identified. They take moments to insert under the skin and last for the lifetime of your pet.
While many have questioned the health safety to animals of microchipping, it is a widely held belief in the veterinary medical community that the risk of cancer from chip implantation is “very, very low,” and that the benefits outweigh the risks.
The process is quick and fairly simple; a vet places a tiny microchip about the size of a grain of rice under the animal’s skin with a needle. It should not cause your pet any more pain than receiving a vaccine. After implantation, you register the chip, which contains a special digital number that can be used to identify your pet and obtain your contact information.
Here’s a great video from ExpertVillage with Jenn Fadal explaining all about the microchipping process:
According to the ASPCA, lost cats are less likely to be found than dogs. In a study conducted by the agency, it was determined that 15 percent of found dogs had been located through their implanted chips. Microchip ID Systems, Inc. claims that over 38 percent of cats and and 52 percent of dogs in shelters found to have chips have been reunited with their caregivers.
Dogs and cats are not the only animals which can be microchipped. Fish, ferrets, horses, alpacas, birds, even laboratory and zoo animals such as elephants and snakes can and do get chipped. If you travel with your companion animal(s) regularly, you will more than likely want to get them implanted with a microchip. In some countries, it is actually now a requirement that animals be chipped.
More and more, microchips are becoming an important identification tool for pet parents. Collars break, tags get lost, but chips are long lasting and the cost has gone down (on average around $10), making them more affordable. Chips are quickly becoming an essential part of disaster preparedness as well.
While chips and scanners can be purchased online, implanting them is not something that can or should be done casually. Believe it or not, anyone can learn in a brief online course how to implant a microchip. However, the only way to be sure a chip is implanted properly – and therefore will not migrate or cause problems – is to have it done by a vet or properly trained shelter personnel.
Because your fur baby’s safety is paramount, always ask about credentials, and always choose an experienced hand. An improperly implanted chip can be difficult to get a read from in addition to causing unwanted medical problems. And again, once a chip is implanted it absolutely must be registered.
Microchips do not replace collars and tags, and most importantly they are not lowjack. They don’t work with GPS, but they can interact with pet doors and feeding dishes to allow pets a little more independence.
If ever you misplace your microchip paperwork or number, all you will need to do is have your vet scan the chip to recover the digital ID number. You can then input the number in the online lookup tool for a national registry such as AAHA Universal Pet Microchip Lookup to find out which company your chip is registered with. Note that you will have to contact that company directly.
While most shelters now have universal scanners to detect the three main chip frequencies commonly used in the United States, it is still possible for there to be an error reading a chip. Microchips are built to last 25 years, but like all things, it’s possible for them to fail and that is how “Check the Chip Day” came about.
Even though microchips are an important means of protecting your four legged family member, a collar is still the best way for someone to identify that he or she belongs to someone should s/he somehow get away from you. And while a chip is one important tool in your toolbox, it should be noted that merely having a chip does not provide proof of ownership of an animal.
Whether you are working on the front lines, working from home or not working at all, life has gotten very different during the pandemic. Here are some pet related resources that might be helpful.
Vet Clinics It appears most vets are open, but you need to call ahead and most are doing curbside drop off. Many vets and other businesses who never offered delivery service are now or at least offering curb-side service. It’s probably best to visit their Facebook page or even Instagram page for up-to-date details, since those can be updated more easily than a website.
Pet Supplies Most pet stores remain open, offering curbside pick-up. The big box store like Petsmart and Petco, as well as local shop Petcetera, offer the ability to order and pay on their website, then call when you arrive so that can bring your order out.
Pet Food Pantry Several rescues have Food Pantries for dogs and cats. Reach out to them if you need help feeding your dog or cat, or need cat litter. If you are in the position to help, it would be most appreciated. • Click here for more information about the LA-SPCA’s program and to apply for assistance online. • To request food from Zeus’ Rescue’s, please email zeusrescues@gmail.com with PET FOOD BANK in the subject line and let them know what you need in the body of the email. Once you get an email that your request has been filled, you will be able to pick it up at there 2520 Napoleon Avenue location. Check their Facebook for the occasional drive-up distribution. If you have extra cat or dog food that you want to donate to the food bank, please bring it to either or 4601 Freret or 2520 Napoleon location. To discover other ways donate to them, please click here. • Blue Tails is another, local rescue on the Westbank with a pet food pantry. Visit their Facebook page for details or send an email to info@bluetails.com. • NOLA Bark Market in the By-water also offers free food to pet parents in need. Visit their Facebook Page.
Grooming Many places stopped grooming for a while, but now it seems several place are now offering grooming again.
Zeus’ Place – You must call to schedule an appointment: (504) 309-2144. They are at 2520 Napoleon Avenue.
Petcetera – You can book an appointment on their website.
Petsmart – They have starting offering grooming again. Book an appointment on their website.
Petco – Some stores are offering grooming again. You can book an appointment on their website.
I am still offering dog walking services, so if you need to get your pooch out of the house and out of your hair for a bit, let me know! I have always practice good hygiene, making sure to wash my hands or use hand sanitizer between client’s house, and now I am doubling up my efforts. If you are home, you can just hand your pup off to me. If you aren’t home, I will minimize the amount of time I am in your house. I can also use one of my own leashes if you prefer. Everyone, be safe, wash your hands and stay home!
