ELMHURST, IL — The staff of Elmhurst Animal Care Center is reminding all pet owners in the Elmhurst community that Aug. 15 is National Check the Chip Day, when pet owners are encouraged to check and update the contact information registered with their pet's microchip.

The American Veterinary Medical Association and American Animal Hospital Association established Check the Chip Day in an effort to ensure happier endings for lost or stolen pets. This year, with support from HomeAgain, there's a video reinforcing the importance of registering pet microchips and keeping that information up to date.

"We love stories of pets and their families being reunited after they have been missing for years and located sometimes thousands of miles away from their home," said Dr. Sandra Faeh, veterinarian and partner at Elmhurst Animal Care Center. "These stories would not have a happy ending, however, if these pets were never microchipped or if the microchip contained inaccurate or out-of- date information." "Microchips greatly increase the chances that you'll get your pets back if they become lost or stolen, … but a microchip only works if its registration information is accurate," said Dr. Tom Meyer, president of the AVMA.

Elmhurst Animal Care Center offers free microchips for first time patients at their clinic in an effort to make sure pet owners are equipped with the tools they need in case their pet is lost or stolen. Veterinarians can:

scan any pet's microchip;

tell the owner what information is contained on the microchip; and

provide pet owners with information on how to update their pet's microchip registration. To learn more about microchips and Check the Chip Day, call Elmhurst Animal Care Center at 630-530- 1900 or visit the AVMA's website at avma.org/CheckTheChip.