Pet owners urged to consider microchips

Bri is approximately 1 year old. She is a cur-mix and is very attentive. Her ideal owner will give her plenty of playtime. Her adoption fee is $85. Call 931-507-3647 for more information or to adopt. Visit our photo gallery to see more pets up for adoption.

During the month of August, pet owners are urged to get their four-legged family members microchipped and make sure the registration information on existing microchips is up-to-date.
Pets are considered a part of the family by some people. As long as there are pets, even those belonging to the most responsible owners, they will go missing. Microchips increase the chances an owner will get their pet back if it is lost or stolen.
Warren County Animal Control employees routinely check for microchips on animals that come into their facility.
“If you have an animal that’s part of your family, get it microchipped,” said Kim Pettrey, the county’s Animal Control director. “Microchips do increase the chances you will get your pet back.”
A microchip is a small, electronic chip enclosed in a glass cylinder that is about the same size as a grain of rice. The microchip itself does not have a battery. It is activated by a scanner that is pressed over the area, and the radiowaves put out by the scanner activate the chip. The chip transmits the identification number to the scanner, which displays a number on the screen.
No surgery or anesthesia is required. A microchip can be implanted during a routine veterinary office visit. It is injected under the skin using a hypodermic needle. It is no more painful than a typical injection.
Having the microchip placed is the first step. The microchip must be registered by the owner filling out contact information for the manufacturer’s microchip registry. If the information is missing or incorrect, your chances of getting your pet back are dramatically reduced so it is important to make sure information is kept up-to-date.
Traditional modes of pet identification, like pet tags or ID collars, can come off or be taken off, but microchips are permanent. In March 2013, a 75-pound bloodhound was struck by a car in Warren County. Pettrey responded to the call and took the dog to a local veterinarian. When the dog was scanned for a microchip, one was found. The registry information led to its owner, who said the dog was taken from her fenced-in yard two months prior in Watertown. Duke, the name of the dog, was reunited with its owner.
Warren County Animal Control recently had a scare of distemper. However, all the animals up for adoption have tested positive for high antibodies against the virus.
“These animals are good to go,” said Pettrey. “Because they tested positive for high antibodies, they can’t contract the virus. These animals are healthy and ready for good homes.”
As always, Pettrey encourages pet owners to get their current animals spayed or neutered in an effort to reduce the animal population in Warren County. Toward that endeavor, the facility’s adoption fee of $65 per cat and $85 per dog includes the cost for spay and neuter. The adoption fee for animals coming into the facility already medically altered is $10.
Individuals interested in adopting one of the featured animals may call 507-3647.

Thanks to our August Pet Adoption Drive sponsors:

Coompanions Forever Pet Cremation Services - www.CompanionsForever.net

Hoover & Son Insurance - www.HooverIns.com

Topz Frozen Yogurt Cafe - Topz Frozen Yogurt on Facebook

Sparta Road Veterinary Clinic - 4021 Sparta Hwy.

Southern Central Waste Services LLC. - Southern Central Waste Services Online

Rustic Touch Antiques - Rustic Touch on Facebook

Body & Face Medical Cosmetic Center - www.BodyandFaceMurfreesboro.com

Taylor Heating & Air - Taylor Heating & Air Online

Dakota Door Sales - www.DakotaDoor.com

Southern Central Iron & Metal LLC. - Southern Central Iron & Metal Facebook

Warren Farmers Co-Op - Warren Farmers Co-Op on Facebook