The unexpected shutdown of a national pet microchip company has left many pet owners concerned about the safety of their beloved animals. Save This Life, a Texas-based microchip and registration company, was recently listed as inactive, causing confusion and panic among pet lovers who relied on its services.
Microchips, small radio frequency identification devices implanted in dogs and cats, serve as a vital tool in reuniting lost pets with their owners. However, the sudden closure of Save This Life has left pet owners scrambling for alternatives to ensure their pets’ safety in case of an emergency.
According to the American Veterinary Medical Association, microchips do not have batteries and are activated only when scanned. Veterinarian offices and shelters can scan a lost pet for a chip, which contains vital information about the owner and their contact details.
Concerned pet owners have expressed frustration over Save This Life’s lack of response to inquiries and requests for assistance in reuniting lost pets. The company’s website still claims to offer support 24/7, but many have found it impossible to reach anyone for help.
With over 40 microchip companies nationwide, pet owners have other options for registering and tracking their pets. While the exact number of microchipped pets is unknown, statistics show that only six out of 10 microchip devices are registered.
Save This Life’s closure has raised questions about the fate of pets with microchips starting with numbers 991 or 900164. However, pet owners are advised not to panic, as chips can be registered with a new company using the same chip number.
Although microchips are not GPS devices and cannot track lost animals, they play a crucial role in reuniting pets with their owners when found. The process of implanting a microchip is simple and relatively painless, typically costing between $25 and $50.
As pet owners navigate the uncertainty caused by Save This Life’s closure, updating their pet’s microchip information with a new company is recommended. Veterinarians can assist with scanning and updating microchip records to ensure that pets can be quickly reunited with their owners in case they go missing.
The importance of a pet’s microchip cannot be overstated. Lippai emphasized the significance of pet owners checking the shelter or breeder from which their pet was adopted. In addition, she suggested reaching out to the local animal control officer in the township of residence for further assistance.
Even though Save This Life has ceased operations, the microchip implanted in pets should still be functional. Lippai explained that microchips operate as radio-frequency identification transponders, each carrying a unique ID. This ID number can be registered in multiple databases maintained by different organizations.
Save This Life was recently removed from the American Animal Hospital Association’s lookup tool due to reported search issues with the microchip company. Chief Value Officer Keith Chamberlain disclosed that the AAHA tool, commonly used by veterinarians and the public to identify the registration company of a found pet through its microchip number, encountered difficulties in reaching Save This Life’s customer support.
Following persistent search failures, AAHA decided to disconnect Save This Life from their search tool. Chamberlain advised pet owners to consult their veterinarians regarding the need to re-register their pet’s microchip with an alternative registry, particularly if it was previously linked to Save This Life. Numerous microchip companies are offering free registration or discounts to affected pet owners.
Lippai also recommended using the American Animal Hospital Association’s Universal Pet Microchip Lookout Tool, which lists various microchip registration companies. She stressed the OCHD’s (Ocean County Health Department) encouragement for all cat and dog owners to microchip their pets or ensure the renewal of agreements with the company initially chosen. Additionally, she urged pet owners to promptly update their contact information in case of address changes or rehoming pets with existing microchips.
Olivia Liu, a journalist covering transportation, Red Bank, and western Monmouth County, provided valuable insights on the closure of Save This Life and offered tips on maintaining pet safety. For further inquiries, Olivia can be contacted at oliu@gannett.com. (This article was originally published on Asbury Park Press: Save This Life pet microchip company closed. How to keep pets protected)
