Be Sure to Microchip, Spay and Neuter Pets in Massachusetts

Whether you are a new pet owner or an experienced pet owner who just added a new member to your pack, make sure that you consider microchip services for pets, as well as spay and neuter in Massachusetts. Every year millions of unwanted pets wind up in shelters – or worse – due to overpopulation that could be abated through the use of spaying and neutering services. As an emergency vet in Dartmouth, we have seen our share of problems that pets and pet owners could have avoided simply by taking the time to spay and neuter their pets. We can provide all of these services and more at our Dartmouth animal hospital, which serves pets and pet owners throughout the Southcoast and Cape Cod region.

Microchip Services for Pets

At Anchor Animal Hospital, we strongly recommend that our pet parents consider microchipping their new family members. Microchips have helped to reunite thousands of lost pets with their owners. Pets that get lost and have a microchip have significantly increased odds that they will be found and come home. Most animal hospitals, shelters, and even animal control officers, have a scanner at their disposal to identify your pet. At our Dartmouth animal hospital, we use AKC microchip and offer a lifetime registration with AKC’s Companion Animal Recovery (CAR) program, which is included in the implantation fee. We chose these microchips because they are ISO compatible, which means that they can even be used with international travel. Microchipping can be provided at our veterinary clinic during any of your pet’s wellness visits.

Studies show that a microchip is much more effective than collars and tags, which can be easily lost when a pet is frantic and realizes that they are far from home. When collars and tags get lost, the only hope left to reunite a pet and owner is a microchip scan or possibly a diligent owner contacting every pet rescue and shelter in the area. Microchip services for pets are simple and easy to manage. About the size of a grain of rice, the chip is placed underneath your pet’s skin with a needle that is similar to a vaccination needle. The chip can be identified by an individualized number that is registered with the AKC microchip database service. Pets that are lost and then found, picked up, and brought into a shelter, rescue, or veterinary office, can be scanned quickly and easily to reunite the pet with their owner.

Spay and Neuter in Massachusetts

While not a legal requirement, there are many reasons to consider spaying and neutering your pet in Massachusetts. We strongly recommend that kittens are spayed or neutered between four and six months of age to reduce the risk of developing certain life-threatening diseases, as well as unwanted pregnancies. While not every pet owner will want this service for their cat or dog, it is important to at least consider it, especially if your pet will be outdoors where they might be around other pets. Spay refers to the surgery that is performed on female animals so they cannot become pregnant, while neuter refers to the surgery that is performed on male animals so they can’t make females pregnant. However, there are other benefits associated with spaying and neutering that must be considered.

Studies reveal that when you spay and neuter in Massachusetts, females can avoid heat cycles, which can result in other serious side effects and behavioral problems. Males will become less likely to spray or mark their territory and will be less likely to have the urge to roam and get lost. Significantly reducing the pet overpopulation problem is a major advantage and worth considering all on its own. Speak with the veterinarian when you visit our Dartmouth hospital to find out if microchipping, spaying, or neutering is right for you and your pet. You can contact our team by calling 508-996-3731 to speak with one of our veterinary team members to schedule an appointment, ask questions, or learn more about our microchip services for pets. We can provide pricing for any of these services over the phone and answer any questions you might have about our veterinary pet services and treatment options.