Veterinarian Dr. Cat has issued a stark warning to all pet owners, asking them to take one crucial step to protect their animals and prevent them from getting lost if they run away from home
Pet owners are known for often bending over backward to maintain the wellness of their fur babies, tackling everything necessary to ensure they remain as healthy and happy as possible.
While the common checklist for maintaining a pet's health includes keeping up to date on their vaccination, having them on a balanced and nutritious diet while also adhering to their exercise requirements, and going on regular vet visits, there's one more crucial thing everyone should do. Pet owners should be prepared for what to do if they get lost or run away.
UK-based veterinarian Cat on social media has amassed a significant following by sharing her top tips and wisdom that help pet owners keep their companions in prime health. In a recent clip, she focused on an often overlooked but key component of pet health management.
“I talk a lot on my channel about how to protect our pets from illness and disease, by doing things like feeding them a good diet, making sure they're regularly vaccinated and covered against parasites,” she said in her TikTok video.
“But another really important part of protecting our pets is making sure they're microchipped. And not just microchipped, but ensuring that your contact details are held on a reputable database,” she continued.
While some may see it as just another tick on the expense list, Cat makes a compelling case that it's a small price to pay for the peace of mind it provides should your furry companion decide to wander off. And as it's National Chip Your Pet month, it's a good time to check if your cat has what it needs.
She shared the scoop: “So, here's how it works. Once a microchip is scanned, a number appears on the scanner. And once that number is put into a database, your contact details will appear.
“Your contact details aren't held directly on the chip like some people think, and nor is it a GPS tracker. The technology isn't quite there yet for that,” Cat explained. “So it's really important that you keep your contact details up to date and put plenty of information in there. So you or a member of your family can always be contacted if your pet get handed in as a stray.”
She advised adding various contact methods into the database, including email, phone number, and an address.
“And it's absolutely vital that the database that you are registered with has 24 hour online access, both for owners and for registered users, like vets, so those details are always accessible should your pet go missing and be found,” Cat emphasized.
“Not only does this keep your pet safe from ending up in the rescue system and never getting home, it's also a legal requirement,” she pointed out to UK-based viewers.
Since 2016, it's been compulsory for dogs in the UK to have a microchip, and come 2024, the same rule applies to cats in England. However, there are no national laws like this in the USA, however local regulations might require it, according to the American Veterinary Medical Association.
“So don't forget to add checking their chip to your pet's regular preventative care,” Cat urged her viewers.
