Doylestown Vet Hospital Wants to 'Check the Chip'

By James Boyle

The Doylestown Veterinary Hospital and Holiday & Holiday House Pet Resort wants to make sure you can find your furry friends if they happen to get out of the house.

The resort, located at 380 N. Shady Retreat Road in Doylestown, will host a free “Check the Chip” on Aug. 15 from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. It is an opportunity for dog and cat owners who have their pets microchipped to double check that the chip has updated information in the registry.

It is part of a national awareness campaign created by the American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA) and the American Animal Hospital Association (AAHA). The chips provide contact information for a lost pet, but does not track the animal’s whereabouts with any GPS system.
If the registry information is up-to-date, it becomes more likely that the pet will be reunited with the family. According to the press release, one study showed:

· More than 50 percent of microchipped dogs were returned; only 22 percent without a microchip were reunited

· Nearly 40 percent of microchipped cats were returned; less than 2 percent without a microchip were reunited

“We do see a high percentage of pets that are microchipped with incomplete or outdated information in the registry, or a pet profile was never created,” said Carol Hinckley, shelter manager for the Bucks County SPCA in Lahaska.

All community pet owners can stop by to have their pet’s microchip scanned for their number and to receive registry information. There will also be information about the HomeAgain microchip program recommended by and administered at Doylestown Veterinary Hospital.

Guests will also be treated to family fun and games:

· Spin the Holiday House Pet Resort game wheel for prizes

· HomeAgain Snoopy tattoos for the kids

· Tours

· Dog treats and People treats too.

For more information about Holiday House Pet Resort, visit www.holidayhousepetresort.com or call 215-345-6960. For more information about Doylestown Veterinary Hospital, visit www.doylestownveterinaryhospital.com or call 215-345-6000.