You’re a loving pet owner. You care about the well-being, safety, and security of your pet. But, if your pet isn’t microchipped, you’re missing an opportunity to greatly increase the chances of her being reunited with you should she become lost.

According to the American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA), a 2009 study showed that dogs without a microchip had a 21.9 percent chance of being reunited with their owners, while that number increased to 52.2 percent for dogs who were microchipped. And, only 1.8 percent of cats without a microchip found their way home, while 38.5 percent of cats with a microchip were reunited with their owners.

 

What is a microchip?

A microchip is a tiny electronic chip, about the size of a grain of rice, enclosed in a small glass case. Each chip is associated with a specific number or number and letter combination. When a scanner is moved over the chip, it is activated, and it reads that series of numbers and letters on the scanner’s screen. Once the chip is implanted in your dog or cat, that number will forever be associated with her. As her owner, your job is to register the identification number to your name and up-to-date contact information.

Your contact information and details about your pet, such as color, age, weight, and gender, are kept in a secure database created by the manufacturer of the microchip.

 

When can my pet be microchipped?

Your pet can have a microchip implanted at any time during her life. A needle just slightly larger than those used for vaccines is used to insert the chip under your pet’s skin. Microchips are inserted directly under the skin on the back, between the shoulder blades.

 

Who should perform the procedure?

Placement of a microchip should be performed by a veterinary professional. Often, animal shelters will have pets microchipped prior to being adopted. Implantation in a shelter is done under the supervision of a veterinarian or registered veterinary technician. Proper placement is required to ensure detection of the chip is possible in the future. If placed too deep, there is an increased risk of the scanner not being able to detect the chip. Potential health risks are also possible should the chip be placed too deep.

Once the microchip is implanted, our team will scan the area between the shoulder blades to ensure proper placement. Before you leave the appointment, you’ll be given registration information and a tag with the chip number.

 

What maintenance is required?

While there is no maintenance required once your pet has been microchipped, it is important that you keep your contact information on your pet’s microchip registration up-to-date should you move or get a new phone number. Without current information, your pet’s microchip will be useless.

The American Animal Hospital Association (AAHA) created a website that provides manufacturer information tied to each microchip code. When a lost pet is found and scanned, the scanner can search for the number at petmicrochiplookup.org and contact the manufacturer associated with that chip to help reunite the pet with her owner.

A microchip is not a replacement for a traditional identification tag. Keep a collar with an identification tag on your pet as much as possible. Be sure to update the information on the tag in the event you move or change your phone number. Traditional identification methods are a great resource for a quick reunification, but it’s better to be safe than sorry. Microchipping your pet will provide extra proof of ownership and help you reunite with your dog or cat should the unimaginable occur.

 

Questions about microchipping? Ready to have your pet microchipped? Call our office at 828-754-4545.