Nearly one in three pets gets lost at some point, putting some at risk of never finding their way back home. Fortunately, microchipped pets are up to 20 times more likely to be reunited with their families.

Microchipping is so effective that some cities in Texas now require dog owners to microchip their canine. Those who don’t comply can be fined. City administrators aren’t trying to punish pet parents. Lost pets can end up in shelters, and they want to free up the space for animals that really need it.

Microchips are the size of a grain of rice and are easily injected under the skin. The chip contains an identification number linked to a database, which becomes visible when the chip is scanned. That allows contact with the owners.

Microchipping is an easy way to help keep our pets safe, so let’s all get with the program.