If only our pets could talk. I must say that at least twice a week. How cool would that be? Every lost animal could tell us where she/he lived. Every suspected abuse case could tell us what really happened. Every sick animal could tell us where it hurt. The benefits go on and on. 

When we have to charge someone redeeming their lost pet for the vaccines we gave and they say, “Oh, he didn’t need any shots, he’s current” our response is always “too bad he couldn’t tell us that. We were just trying to protect him while in the kennel.”  Our job would be infinitely simpler if we didn’t have to house all the strays and hope that their families would think to actually come to the shelter rather than sit home and post a lost report on Craigslist (if they even bother to do that).

Since talking animals is just a fantasy (at least so far – I bet scientists are working on a way to help them communicate) we need to help them out. The simplest way to help a lost pet home is to put your address and phone number on a tag, on a collar, on their neck. No, not just a “name” tag…some people take that too literally. The shelter has actually gotten in animals with collars and tags that say nothing but their name! They should be called “address” tag because that, and a current phone number, is ever more useful.

The only drawback to tags is that they can come off.  A few cats, especially, are exceptional escape artists – able to wiggle out of any type of collar you can think of. They pride themselves on leaving their ID at the door as they dash outside and promptly blend in with the strays in the neighborhood. Since collars and tags are not foolproof, you need a back-up. That’s where the microchip comes in handy.

A microchip is the second line of defense against your pet becoming permanently lost. Imbedded in the tiny chip (about the size of a grain of rice) is a unique number that is assigned to your pet. The information that you want associated with that number - your address, multiple phone numbers, health issues of the pet, a back-up contact, etc. — is registered in a national database, so it’s easy to update if any of it changes (you move, rehome the pet, etc.). 

The chip is inserted under the skin of the dog or cat between the shoulder blades so it’s easy to find with a quick swipe of a scanner. Like buying groceries, we run a scanner over the bodies of every stray animal that comes through our door (dead or alive) in the hopes of hitting the jackpot and finding a chip. The beep given off when a chip is found is the sound of an animal going home!

To give this protection to as many animals as possible, the Animal Shelter League is again offering FREE microchips during month of December for residents of Rohnert Park and Cotati (city limits). Bring your proof of residency and your dog (on a leash) or cat (in a carrier), to the shelter during our open hours to take advantage of this special – no appointment is necessary. The shelter is open Wednesdays 1-6:30 p.m., Thursday through Saturday from 1-5:30 p.m. and Sundays 1-4:30 p.m. 

It would be nice if our pets could talk but since so many of us confide our deepest secrets to our pets, maybe it’s better that they don’t. At least with a microchip they have a way to say “this is where I live.” Tell your pet you love them enough to want them back.  \ome in and take advantage of this special holiday gift – a free microchip!

Upcoming events: Meet the Bunny, held the second Saturday of each Month (Dec. 10) from 1-5:30 p.m. Meet our adoptable rabbits, ask care questions of our knowledgeable volunteers, and shop our bunny boutique for fresh hay, rabbit toys and accessories and some cute gifts for the bunny lovers on your shopping list.