Anyone questioning the need for and value of microchips as a method of pet identification need look no farther than story of Pepper, a golden retriever who disappeared in December and turned up nine months later in St. Petersburg, Florida. Startled by a loud noise, Pepper bolted and ran off. The owners tried for weeks to find him but eventually gave up hope. Then one day last month Pepper walked into a shop in St. Pete. The owner took him home and cleaned him up, then took him to a vet for a checkup. The vet scanned him and found the microchip with the contact information for the owners in Atlanta. Now Pepper is back home with his family in Atlanta and everyone is happy.

How Pepper wound up in Florida, over 400 miles from home will probably never be known, but how he got to be reunited with his family is certain. Without that microchip there is no way he would ever have gotten home. He would just be another lost dog on the street. If he managed to avoid being hit by a car, he might have been lucky enough to be found and adopted by a good family, but more than likely he would have ended up in a shelter where the outcome would be less promising.Having a microchip implanted in a pet is inexpensive and easy, and is the most effective form of identification. Rescue groups are always offering discounts for anyone who needs help with the cost. In Atlanta and north Georgia, go to www.petorphans.com for the most complete listing of rescue groups, including those offering lower prices for microchips, as well as for spaying and neutering.