Action Required: Urgent Alert For Minnesota, Wisconsin Pet Owners

Pet owners in Wisconsin, Minnesota, and elsewhere across the country are being urged to take action as soon as possible to prevent "potential disaster".

In a story republished via Duluth's TV news outlet Northern News Now, this "disaster" being referred to is that of your pet going missing and the safety and peace of mind of your pet's microchip not working to get you reunited with them.

The reason? A company that operates in the pet microchipping industry suddenly shut down, meaning vital information to reunite you with your lost pet is no longer available for customers.

What should Minnesota & Wisconsin pet owners know about this microchip issue?

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If your pet has a microchip from the company Save This Life, the concern is that your pet's information may no longer be accessible in the event it is needed.

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The company reportedly shut down abruptly, leaving pet owners with this company's microchips in a position where the information linking you to your pet is no longer accessible.

The good news is that there is something pet owners can do in the wake of this news.

What can pet owners with these microchips do?

Photo by Tran Mau Tri Tam ✪ on Unsplash

Pet owners are able to re-register their pets and their microchips with alternative services, but experts are encouraging the public to take action as soon as possible as you never know when you could need to rely on your pet's microchip if they were to go missing.

An animal shelter explained that you should check your pet's microchip number, which should be on your pet's adoption paperwork or medical records. You may need to contact your vet in some cases to get this number. Vet clinics can also scan a microchip to get the number.

Once you have your pet's microchip number, you can look up the manufacturer using the American Animal Hospital Association's microchip search tool. If you have a chip registered with Save This Life, you can re-register with a different company.

The AAHA has a comprehensive list of other registration options like PetLink, 24PetWatch, HomeAgain, and Found Animals.

Even if you don't have one of these impacted chips, this news is a good reminder to check your pet's registration information to make sure everything (particularly your contact information) is up-to-date and accurate.

LOOK: Here are the pets banned in each state

Because the regulation of exotic animals is left to states, some organizations, including The Humane Society of the United States, advocate for federal, standardized legislation that would ban owning large cats, bears, primates, and large poisonous snakes as pets.

Read on to see which pets are banned in your home state, as well as across the nation.

Gallery Credit: Elena Kadvany