Dingman P A, Levy J K, Rockey L E, Crandall M M
Maddie's Shelter Medicine Program, College of Veterinary Medicine, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL 32610, USA.
Maddie's Shelter Medicine Program, College of Veterinary Medicine, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL 32610, USA.
Vet J. 2014 Jul;201(1):46-50. doi: 10.1016/j.tvjl.2014.04.024. Epub 2014 May 13.
It is estimated that more than 5 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 online survey of 1086 veterinary clinics in the 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.
据估计，美国每年有超过500万只流浪狗和流浪猫进入动物收容所，但只有不到一半能与主人团聚。带有身份识别微芯片的走失宠物与主人团聚的可能性比没有微芯片的宠物高出21倍。发现走失宠物的人更有可能向兽医而非收容所寻求帮助，而宠物主人在宠物健康、保护和福利方面首先会向兽医咨询建议。对美国东南部1086家兽医诊所进行了一项在线调查，以评估兽医诊所在宠物识别网络中所起的作用。91%的受访诊所提供扫描和微芯片植入服务，41%使用能够检测所有当前使用的微芯片品牌的“通用”扫描仪。诊所更经常依赖宠物主人登记联系信息，而不是为客户提供这项服务（分别为52%和43%）。尽管走失的狗比走失的猫更有可能与主人团聚，但所有狗被推荐使用微芯片和项圈的可能性（分别为85%和93%）高于所有猫（分别为67%和61%）。推荐身份识别项圈的诊所中只有一半为客户提供该项圈。兽医可以通过将宠物识别纳入预防性医疗保健来保护动物、宠物主人以及人与动物之间的关系。
