08/13/2026
Powder Ridge Post – August 2026
August 15th is “Check the Chip Day!”
Did you know that approximately 10 million pets go missing or are stolen in the United States each year? It’s estimated that nearly one in three pets will become lost at some point during their lifetime. A dropped leash, an open door, or an unexpected escape from the yard can be all it takes. That’s where microchips can make an incredible difference!
Studies show that microchipped dogs are returned to their owners more than 52% of the time, compared with about 22% without a microchip. For cats, the difference is even greater—more than 38% of microchipped cats are reunited with their families, compared with fewer than 2% without one.
A microchip provides your pet with a permanent form of identification. Think of it as their permanent “If lost, please call my humans!” tag. About the size of a grain of rice, the chip is implanted beneath the skin and can be read by scanners commonly used by veterinary hospitals and animal shelters.
But there’s one important catch: a microchip is only as helpful as the information connected to it!
If your pet is already microchipped, take a few minutes this month to make sure your phone number and address are current with the registry. You can also ask us to scan your pet’s chip during their annual visit to make sure it’s reading properly. Not sure if your pet is microchipped or whether their information is current? We’re happy to help!
August is Clear the Shelters Month!
Clear the Shelters is a nationwide pet adoption and donation campaign taking place throughout August. Shelters and rescue organizations across the country come together to help homeless pets find loving families and raise support for the animals in their care.
There are plenty of ways to get involved! Adopt: If you’re thinking about adding a new member to your family, consider a local shelter or rescue. Foster: Opening your home to a foster pet gives them a safe, comfortable place to stay while freeing up space for another animal in need. Donate: Can’t bring home another furry friend? Donations of funds, food, or supplies can make a tremendous difference.
And let’s face it—sometimes the best family members are the ones with four legs, a little fur, and absolutely no respect for personal space! If there’s room in your heart (and maybe on your couch), August is a wonderful time to consider giving a shelter pet their happily-ever-after.
