Microchips are tiny implants (about the size of a rice granule) that when scanned can transmit a number that links a pet to an owner in cases where they are lost, injured or found.  This information can mean the difference between medical care and a life saved versus euthanasia. Many shelters will microchip pets prior to releasing them and many veterinary clinics (like Shaver Road Animal Hospital) encourage their placement to help protect that human-animal bond.

 Microchipping has been around for over 20 years and has reunited countless pets back to their owners!

Placement of the microchip is very simple and fast using a special microchip needle inserted quickly under the skin between the shoulder blades of a pet in a matter of seconds.  Over time, the microchip may move or migrate a bit under the skin but shelters and veterinary clinics know to scan the animal’s entire body to look for a possible microchip.

The chip’s unique number does need to be registered to an owner with an up to date address and phone number in case the owner needs to be contacted and pet description as well.  This information does have to be updated if moving or if a new phone number is created!

Only an identification number is encoded on the microchip and no two chips contain the same number.  No personal information is stored on the microchip so the microchip itself cannot locate a pet, it can only identify a pet.  It is very important to register your pet’s microchip! Typically the microchip applicator also comes with a collar tag that contains the identification number and phone number for the registry the number is linked to. Be sure to keep this tag on your pet at all times so that the registry can contact you if your pet is found.

There are many different registry’s that provide the microchip and store the microchip numbers for that specific brand of microchip.  If there is no tag indicating a microchip is present and with which company it is registered with, the good news is most chip registry companies participate in PetMicrochipLookUp.org developed by The American Animal Hospital Association that allows a chip number to be connected to its registry.  If the microchip company does not participate in PetMicrochipLookUp.org, it can be very difficult to determine where to call if a pet is found. This is why it is best to consider major brands so there are associated registries available to search.

It is never too soon to microchip your pet!  Please consider if your beloved family member is not yet registered to your home.