National Check The Chip Day

National Check The Chip Day: Ensuring Pet Safety

National Check The Chip Day is celebrated annually on August 15th to remind pet owners about the importance of microchipping their pets and keeping the registration information up-to-date. Microchips are small devices implanted under a pet’s skin, serving as a permanent form of identification that greatly increases the chances of reuniting lost pets with their families.

Quick Facts

When is it? August 15th
Tagged as: Pet Safety, Microchipping Awareness
What’s the hashtag? #CheckTheChip
When was it founded? 2013
Who founded it? American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA) and American Animal Hospital Association (AAHA)

History of National Check The Chip Day

The idea of microchipping pets originated in California in the mid-1980s. By 1989, the UK adopted this technology, making pet tracking easier. In 2016, microchipping became mandatory for pets in the UK. National Check The Chip Day was established by AVMA and AAHA in 2013 to encourage pet owners to ensure their microchip information is accurate and up-to-date.

Timeline

1985: Microchip technology introduced in California.
1989: UK adopts microchipping for pets.
2016: UK mandates microchipping for all pets.
2013: National Check The Chip Day founded by AVMA and AAHA.

Upcoming Dates

Year	Month and Date	Day
2025	August 15	Friday
2026	August 15	Saturday
2027	August 15	Sunday
2028	August 15	Tuesday
2029	August 15	Wednesday
2030	August 15	Thursday

Observed

National Check The Chip Day is observed by pet owners, veterinarians, shelters, and animal welfare organizations worldwide. Activities include scanning pets for chips, updating registration details, educating others about microchipping benefits, and hosting events to promote awareness.

Fun Facts About National Check The Chip Day

Microchips are about the size of a grain of rice.
Pets with microchips are twice as likely to be reunited with their owners compared to those without.
Microchips are essential for international pet travel documentation.

Quiz

What size is a typical pet microchip?
- Answer: About the size of a grain of rice.
Who founded National Check The Chip Day?
- Answer: AVMA and AAHA.
What date is National Check The Chip Day celebrated?
- Answer: August 15th.

FAQs

Q: What is a pet microchip?
A: A pet microchip is a small electronic device implanted under a pet’s skin that contains a unique ID number linked to owner contact information in a registry.

Q: How do I update my pet’s microchip information?
A: Contact the chip manufacturer or use tools like AAHA’s Universal Pet Microchip Lookup Tool to access your chip registry.

Q: Is microchipping painful for pets?
A: No, it’s similar to getting an injection and causes minimal discomfort.

Importance of National Check The Chip Day

This day plays a vital role in promoting responsible pet ownership by ensuring pets have permanent identification and their registration details are current. It helps reduce shelter overcrowding, facilitates reunions between lost pets and their families, and spreads awareness about pet safety.