Microchips

What is a Microchip?

A pet microchip is a small, permanent transponder that is implanted under a pet's skin to provide identification and increase the chances of reuniting a lost pet with their owner:

• How it works: A microchip is a radio-frequency identification (RFID) implant that contains a unique identification number. When scanned with a microchip reader, the ID number is displayed.
• How it's implanted: The microchip is usually placed between the shoulder blades or at the back of the neck. The procedure is generally not painful and can often be done at the same time as neutering.
• How long it lasts: A microchip is intended to last the lifetime of your pet. It doesn't require a power source, has no moving parts, and won't degrade over time.
• What it doesn't do: A microchip is not a GPS device and can't track your pet's location. It's also not intended to store your pet's medical information, but some microchip registration databases allow you to store that information.
• What it's for: A microchip is a backup option for identifying your pet, but it shouldn't be your main method of identification.

Microchips not only help people find their lost pets, but they have also helped shelters return animals to their rightful owners more quickly. In addition to providing relief for the pet owner, locating owners more efficiently helps the shelter prevent overcrowding and reduce stress levels for all the animals.

The biggest benefit of investing in a microchip for your dog or cat is that you increase the chances of reuniting with your pet in the event that you are separated. Thousands of pets will end up in shelters or rescues each year because they are lost, and only about 15 percent of those pets are reunited with their original owners. Dogs with microchips were reunited with their owners about 52.2 percent of the time. Microchipping dogs and cats increases the likelihood that you will be able to bring your pet back home, because animal care organizations read what information is on a pet chip to identify who the animal belongs to. Once the organization retrieves your contact information, they can get in touch with you and reunite you with your beloved friend.