Pet owners and animal welfare advocates are understandably alarmed by the recent shutdown of a major pet microchip company. Microchips provided by the Texas-based company Save This Life, which worked to reunite lost pets with owners, are no longer being used, leaving many pets without identification should they get lost. Groups and vets are calling for pet owners to act now to keep their pets safe.
Save This Life Shuts Down
A Texas company that microchips pets has suddenly closed its doors. The company’s telephones were reportedly disconnected, and official state paperwork indicates that it is no longer operating. This closure has sent pet owners into a frenzy to find alternatives for their pets’ microchip registrations.
Impact On The Pet Community
Save This Life’s closure has posed an immense hurdle for animal shelters and veterinary offices. The company’s database is not linked to national registries, so pets that had microchips from Save This Life will likely not be identifiable if they become lost. This has set off alarms among pet welfare organizations and owners.
AAHA Removal And Urgency For Pet Owners
Save This Life was removed from the American Animal Hospital Association (AAHA) Universal Pet Microchip Lookup Tool on January 24. Veterinarians and shelters use this tool to track lost pets. Since the removal, the organizations have advised pet owners to check and update their pets’ microchip registration details to prevent future issues.
Veterinary And Shelter Concerns
Veterinarians and animal shelters are becoming increasingly concerned about pets with Save This Life microchips. These pets risk never being found if they go missing without a proper link to national databases. Some shelters — including the Humane Animal Rescue in Pittsburgh — have reported bringing in animals with chips from the now-defunct company.
Microchipping — Why It Is Important
Dan Cody, executive director of the Humane Animal Rescue in Pittsburgh, emphasizes that microchipping is a vital tool for reuniting pets with their families. He states that the loss of this microchip company’s services makes it all the more important for owners to check and update their pets’ microchip registration.
Checking Your Pet’s Microchip
Pet owners who are unsure whether their pet is microchipped can start by contacting their local veterinarian, animal shelter, or police station. Those places can scan the animal’s chip and use the number to confirm its registration through available lookup tools, including the AAHA’s own database.
The Risk Of Lost Pets
It’s a tragic reality — despite the fact that microchipping is so important, a lot of pets do not have one. This oversight puts them at risk of being lost and unidentifiable. As pet welfare advocates point out, animals can stray unexpectedly, and the odds of a reunion without a microchip are low.
All Things Microchipping: Educating The Public
Many pet owners don’t realize how common it is for pets to be without a microchip. People often forget about microchipping as they lose themselves in their daily responsibilities. “However, it’s still one of the most effective ways to guarantee that your pet is returned home again if lost,” said Susanna Wickham, CEO of PAWS Chicago.
Animal Welfare Organizations Speak Out
“Our pet owners need to re-chip their animals urgent,” said Alexandra, commenting on behalf of animal welfare groups like Animal Rescuers Without Borders, which have been vocal about the need. These organizations are concerned that pets with unregistered microchips may not be reunited with their families, particularly as shelters find it almost impossible to track lost pets without access to updated records.
Next Steps For Pet Owners
Owners should check the registrations of their pets’ microchips and, if necessary, register them with a new company to eliminate the risk of being unable to find them. Experts advise owners to act quickly and make sure their pets’ microchips work and are properly associated with up-to-date databases.
The Role Of Pet Shelters And Vets
Pet shelters and veterinary offices are working overtime to help owners update their pets’ microchip information. They are urging people to act immediately, especially if the lack of a reliable microchip database could hinder efforts to reunite a lost pet with its family.
Moving Forward With Pet Safety
Even as the pet community deals with the ramifications of Save This Life’s closure, it seems clear that microchipping remains one of the best ways to ensure your pet can be found if it goes missing. Pet owners also need to ensure that new microchip information is updated amd register their microchips with new companies to avoid future complications.
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