Every two seconds a family companion is lost.  Tragically many never make it back home because they lack identification. A microchip along with a collar & identification tag is the BEST ways to ensure you and your companion will be quickly reunited.

In today's society we treat our companion animals as beloved members of the family. While we try to do everything to ensure their safety, unforeseen events like a broken fence, open window or damage resulting from a storm or earthquake, may result in our companion becoming lost.

Why microchip if they already wear a collar and tag?
Simply because collars can fall off or break, tags can be lost or wear off so they are illegible. A combination of a microchip, properly fitting collar and current identification tag, and keeping your companion properly confined, are the best insurance policies you can provide to keep your animal friend safe.

What is a microchip and how does it work?

• The microchip is a non-removable form of identification.
• About the size of a grain of rice, the microchip contains a personal identification number that stays with your companion animal forever.
• The microchip is inserted under the skin of your companion with an injection and it is a safe and easy procedure.
• When a lost animal is found, it can be taken to a local animal shelter, veterinary office, or animal control agency and examined with a hand-held scanner that reads a code specific to your animal.
• Every animal with a mircochip should be registered so that the 24-hour telephone hot-line can provide the finder with information necessary to help reunite you and your companion quickly. Ask about this when adopting.

Hopefully your companion will never need this protection, but microchip identification can help provide insurance that you and your companion animal will be reunited after an accidental separation.

Details courtesy of the Safeway Veterinary Strategic Alliance and the Seattle/King County Veterinary Medical Association.

Sponsor A DRBC Microchip

DRBC spays and neuters all animals in our care when they reach the appropriate age. The cost for this and the accompanying medical treatment (innoculations, exams, etc.) is high, and we do not fully recover costs at adoption time.

The "Sponsor a Spay" program is designed to help us with these costs, freeing more funds for food, litter, and other necessities.

You can "Sponsor a Spay/Neuter" for a contribution of $75. We will send you a picture of the animal who received your gift, as well as his or her rescue story and current adoption status.

Your contribution can be given in your name, in memory of a loved one, or as a gift. Just let us know.

Click on the sponsorship icon below and select Spay/Neuter to support this program.  Want to learn more?  The Help Us Heal button at the top of this column can guide you to additional information about this important program.

Thank you for helping us to help them.