Vet's Voice Kathleen Linpus www.vetcaretauranga.co.nz

If your pet gets lost, how do you find them?

We have many lost animals brought in to our clinic, especially cats who can often end up stowing away in removal trucks, covered boats and tradesmen's vehicles. Often they are brought straight in, but sometimes they have been hanging around for quite some time. And if they have no ID tag or microchip, it can be very difficult finding their owners. It is especially heart breaking when we have unwell elderly cats that have lost their home and we are unable to find their owners.

ID tags are good, because whoever finds the animal is able to return them directly to you. However, collars can get lost, and some cats don't like to wear them.

Microchips are the size of a grain of rice, and are injected under the skin on the back of the neck. They contain a 15-digit number that can be scanned by vet clinics, SPCAs and city and district councils. We are then able to check the New Zealand registry online, to find the owners' details.

And there are now cat doors available that you can program with your pet's microchip numbers, so only they can use it!

If you find or lose a pet, ring your local SPCA and vet clinics, and drop flyers in your neighbours' letterboxes, to help get them home as soon as possible.

Kathleen joined VCT in 2005. She completed her Veterinary Degree in 2003 and has a special interest in Ophthalmology (eyes) and Oncology (cancer). She is proud mum to Romey and Manny (dogs) and Woof (cat). Phone VetCare 576 9069.