In recognition of National Lost Pet Prevention Month, Earth Angels Veterinary Hospital, in Wappingers Falls, is urging pet owners to consider microchipping their animals. According to American Humane, approximately 10 million pets are lost annually in the United States, with many ending up in shelters. The influx of lost pets peaks after the Fourth of July holiday, understandably, due to fireworks and festivities.

“Microchips provide a permanent form of identification, vital for reuniting lost pets with their owners,” explains owner and veterinarian Dr. Alexandra Barrientos. Shelters and humane societies have universal microchip readers to scan and retrieve the owner’s contact information from the registration database.

The microchipping process is quick and relatively painless: comparable to drawing blood. The procedure involves inserting a microchip, about the size of a grain of rice, under the pet’s skin. This microchip stores a unique identification number, which is registered to link back to the owner’s contact information. “Most animals do not even flinch when the chip is inserted,” Barrientos notes. While some owners opt to have the microchip implanted during spaying or neutering, it can be done at any convenient time.

In addition to microchipping, Earth Angels recommends other lost pet prevention measures such as ensuring that pets wear collars with up-to-date ID tags, securing homes and yards with safety in mind, supervising and potentially tactfully sequestering pets during social events or home projects, and always using leashes and carriers while traveling.