Pet Identification

Pet identification is becoming more and more important to families as they want some type of permanent identification beyond a collar tag for their pet. At the Whitecourt Veterinary Clinic, all of our spay and neuter surgeries receive a tattoo in the inside of the ear flap (unless otherwise requested by the client). The tattoo is a combination of three letters and a number which is specifically registered to that particular pet in our records. If the pet is lost, the pet tattoo can be traced back to the owner through our computer records. Many times, good Samaritans phone our veterinary clinic to let us know that they have found a lost pet. Thanks to our tattoo procedures, many times we are able to identify the owner by asking the person to read the tattoo to us. We are pleased to assist in the safe return of lost pets with their concerned owners in this way.

Another form of pet identification available at Whitecourt Veterinary Clinic is "microchipping".  A small electronic ID chip with a unique # code can be easily implanted under the skin of your pet for positive identification in the event that your pet becomes lost. Our doctors use a special syringe and needle to place the microchip under the skin, between the shoulder blades. The process does not require any sedation or anesthesia and is short (similar to giving a vaccination), however it does require an appointment and can be performed while your pet is here for other services. The microchip has a unique, unalterable code that can be read with a special microchip scanner. We use the EIDAP Microchip. You send a separate, one time fee, along with a form identifying your pet and it's microchip number to a central registry to register your pet with their recovery database for lifetime enrollment. In an effort to unite lost pets with their owners, most animal control facilities across the country have these microchip readers. They scan the chip, then call the registry office to determine the owner's name and phone number and help unite the lost pet with it's owner. Microchiping is permanent, so your pet can be identified, even if their collar is lost.

For reasons of pet identification, it is important to notify our veterinary clinic of any changes in telephone numbers, and addresses. Even if our customers move outside the province of Alberta, change of address is requested simply for pet identification purposes.