Microchips and Your Pet

When you get a new pet you may hear the shelter, breeder, or your local veterinarian recommend getting your new furry family member microchipped.  What exactly is a microchip and what does it do? It is a small electronic chip, enclosed in a case, and encoded with a registration number.  This number can be used to help identify your pet in the event they become lost.  This microchip number, is unique to your pet and can be read when scanned by a microchip scanner.  It is about the size of a grain of rice and is implanted just below your pet’s skin, between the shoulder blades.  Microchips are usually implanted by your veterinarian or pet care professional in less than 10 seconds using a special needle.  Not to worry, the microchip injection is similar to the other vaccines your pet receives, so there is very little to no discomfort.

Once implanted, your veterinarian will double check that the microchip is working properly by scanning the area where the microchip was implanted and making sure the registration number comes up.  One of the most critical steps in the process is to make sure that your microchip number is registered, either by your veterinary office or yourself.  Most microchip companies offer quick online registration.  Equally important is making sure your contact information and phone numbers are up to date.  Uploading photos of your pet to the microchip database is also a good idea.  In the event your pet goes missing, the microchip company will send out an alert with your pet’s photo and information to the surrounding communities to help try and locate your pet.  Once fully registered, you’re all set.  Your pet’s microchip will last for their entire life, and you can breathe a little easier knowing your pet is that much more protected.

Pros:

• Scanners in police stations, shelters, veterinary offices, etc
• Lasts for pet’s entire life
• Causes little to no pain or discomfort for your pet
• Can help you reunite with your pet if they run away, get loose, etc.

Important things to remember:

• Microchips don’t replace your pets collar or identification tags
• It’s important for you to keep your address and contact information up to do date so that if your pet is found you can be contacted and reunited.
• Microchips are not a tracking/GPS device, but are effective in reuniting pets and owners through an extensive database after a pet is found.   There are also tracking/GPS pet products out there.

Still not convinced that having your pet microchipped is worth it?  There are countless of stories out there of how pets that went missing reunited with their owners, even years later!  Feel free to give us a call or email with any questions or concerns you have on microchipping your pet.

We care about your pet being fully protected, so during the month of April we’ll be offering a special promotion for your pet(s) to get microchipped.  Give us a call to schedule an appointment!

For additional information, check out the AVMA’s website (America Veterinary Medical Association).