WAUSAU, Wis. (WSAU) — Microchipping your pet may be one of the newest tools in getting a lost pet home, but it’s only helpful if the information connected to it is still current.
Humane Society of Marathon County director Mary Kirlin says keeping that microchip up to date is the best way to get a lost pet back to its owner. “And as long as it’s current and up to date, we can usually get them home. Right now we’re currently averaging within the first day, usually the first half of day an animal’s in here to get a microchipped animal home.” She says she’s worked with pets that have outdated information and trying to go through social media and tracking down the previous owners to find the pet’s home can take quite a while.
While it’s good to keep your pet’s information up to date from time to time when you move, Kirlin says it’s very important to change that information when a pet changes hands. “If you have an animal you give away for whatever reason, and you don’t change the microchip information, that is legal identification for the animal. So if it’s doing some damage there is a possibility that could get you into trouble even if you’re not technically the owner anymore.”
Even without a microchip, the Humane Society can help out a lot in locating a pet or an owner thanks to social media. Kirlin says if you find a pet this winter, try to keep it inside while you find the owner. “Call your local law enforcement, make that effort, call the shelter if you’ve found a stray. If you can help to keep it up for whatever length of time to give it a chance or to try to find an owner.”
You can find out more information on microchips and help track down your pet or a stray’s owner at the Humane Society’s webpage at http://catsndogs.org.
