National Puppy Day: How Microchipping Protects Pups and Ensures Safety

Today marks a special occasion, National Puppy Day, a reminder for all puppy owners about the importance of starting their fur babies off right in life. According to Forbes, experts are reminding the importance of socialising puppies during their first few months to help prevent fear-based behaviours down the road. One fun and effective way to do this? Puppy parties!

As reported by Forbes, puppy parties provide a controlled setting where puppies are introduced to other dogs, making it the perfect opportunity to teach them how to interact positively. While puppy parties are still a new concept in Belize, there’s something else that has already made a great impact here: June Erickson’s efforts to prevent pet loss through microchipping.

Back in December 2024, News 5 shared June’s story after her service dog, Ranger, went missing. Determined to help others avoid the same heartache, June founded the Ranger Warriors Foundation and introduced a microchipping program to ensure that pets can be easily reunited with their owners. Since then, over 120 pets have been microchipped, and June is continuing her efforts to install more scanning stations across the island to increase access.

“I have a meeting with the health department in the coming days. I want to make sure that all island government health, fire department, police, and traffic, all have scanners,” June told News 5 today.

June’s ultimate goal is to “microchip all the cats and dogs in San Pedro first, before pursuing expansion outside of the island.” She hopes to hold two microchipping clinics in both April and May to make up for not having it in February and March.

“Knowing that your pet is easily identifiable and that you can be contacted if they go missing provides peace of mind for pet owners,” June added.

June explained that one of the most critical aspects of microchipping is registration. Without registering the microchip, it’s just a string of numbers. When registered, the chip links directly to the owner’s contact information, making it easy for shelters or vets to reunite lost pets with their families. Unlike collars, which can be lost or removed, microchips offer permanent identification. By keeping contact details up to date, owners ensure their pets can be identified at any time.

For those who are passionate about supporting this cause, a GoFundMe page remains active for donations. You can also contribute directly to Belize Bank, account number 195866010140000, under the name June Young-Figueroa.

On this special day for puppies, it’s a time to celebrate not only the little furry companions but also the tireless efforts of those working to keep them safe and connected to their families.