This online survey of veterinary clinics in four southeastern U.S. states determined that most veterinarians offer micro-chipping and/or collars, but usage is low, particularly in cats. Veterinarians could more effectively promote and support identification options by utilizing scanners that can detect all types of microchips, scanning all new clients, registering contact information for guardians at the time of microchip implantation, and having appropriate collars and tags available for sale at their offices. The authors also call for standardization of microchips used in the U.S.

[Abstract excerpted from original source.]

“It is estimated that more than 3 million stray dogs and cats enter animal shelters in the USA each year, but less than half are ever reunited with their owners. Lost pets with identification microchips are up to 21 times more likely to be reunited than those without. Finders of lost pets are more likely to consult veterinarians than shelters for assistance, and pet owners look first to veterinarians for advice regarding pet health, protection, and welfare. An on-line survey of 1,086 veterinary clinics in South-Eastern USA was conducted to evaluate how veterinary clinics functioned as a part of the pet identification network. Scanning and microchip implants were offered by 91% of surveyed clinics and 41% used ‘global’ scanners capable of detecting all currently used microchip brands. Clinics more frequently relied on pet owners to register contact information rather than providing this service for clients (52% vs. 43%, respectively). Even though lost dogs are more likely to be reunited with owners than lost cats, microchips and collars were more likely to be recommended for all dogs (85% and 93%, respectively) than for all cats (67% and 61%, respectively). Only half of clinics that recommended identification collars made them available to their clients. Veterinarians can protect animals, pet owners and the human-animal bond by integrating pet identification into preventive health care.”