by KYW's Nan Talleno

Along with ID tags on your dog’s collar, there is another way to help ensure your pet’s safe return if he or she is ever separated from you.  It’s in the form of microchipping. 

Microchipping is a process in which a microchip about the size of a grain of rice is injected into the skin just over the dog’s shoulder.  The procedure is said to be quick and no more painful than a typical vaccination. If your dog should accidentally get lost and is eventually brought to a local animal shelter or veterinarian’s office, he/she can be safely scanned with a handheld scanner and promptly returned to you.

Microchipping has currently become a standard procedure at almost all animal shelters and rescue groups before adoption takes place.  If you decide to microchip, it never hurts to just double check to make sure the manufacturer has supplied that particular type of scanner to your local animal shelter. 

Remember to always make sure your pet is wearing his ID tag with your contact information on his collar.  But microchipping certainly can provide the extra protection that could ensure your dog’s safe return.