Should You Microchip your Cat or Dog?

If your dog or cat became lost or could not be located in a storm, there’s a strong possibility that you might never see him again. That’s why it’s important to microchip your pet if you want to increase the possibility for recovery.

how microchipping works

An Electronic Pet ID
Microchipping is an inexpensive measure that electronically IDs your cat or dog. Information can be obtained by the use of a handheld scanner. Similar in size to a small grain of rice, the minuscule chip is manufactured within a glass-type covering that can be injected into an animal’s tissue.

Radiograph of a Pet Cat with an Identifying Microchip:

By Joelmills via Wikimedia Commons

Usually, a vet will implant the device between the shoulder blades of the animal or at the scruff of the neck on a dog or cat.

Inserting the Chip
The microchip process itself can be likened to receiving a vaccination. Pain is minimal, if hardly noticed, when the chip is being injected by a vet. A specialized syringe is used to insert the chip.

Learn More About Chip Insertion by Viewing the Following Video:

The Details on the ID Can Be Referenced upon Microchip Registration
Once the chip has been inserted, the computerized I.D. can be scanned with a handheld device which reveals an alphanumeric code. The ID can be accessed and referenced after your pet is registered with a microchip company.

A Permanent Form of ID
Once the microchip has been placed, it’s permanent. Therefore, microchips never need replacement nor do they require charging. However, that being said, some chips have been reported to move elsewhere within a cat’s or dog’s body after they were inserted.

Most Shelters and Veterinarian Clinics are Equipped with Scanners for Identifying Microchipped Animals
Still, possible migration of the chip should not present a concern. People who scan pets for the IDs are instructed to scan the entire body of the animal, not just the area where the ID is usually placed.

RFID Scanner Used to Register the Identifying Microchipped Animals:

If a missing dog or cat ends up at an animal shelter then, most of these facilities are equipped with the knowledge and technology to ID the animals.

Improve the Chances that Your Pet Will be Found by Mircrochipping Him
While not every facility has a scanner and not all scanners work with certain microchips, that doesn’t mean you shouldn’t microchip your dog or cat. Statistics show that microchipped animals are recovered about 75% of the time.

Device that Is Implanted in Your Pet and a Grain of Rice for Size Comparison:

Pets who only wear tags are recovered about 10% of the time.

Make Sure to Register Your Pet Once He is Microchipped
After you have your pet microchipped, again, you'll need to register him. The details that are conveyed will be included on a national database of the chosen registry. If you pet doesn't make it into the database then if the dog is found and ends up at either a veterinarian's office or the local kennel, there will be no way of letting you know that your favorite family member was found.

Veterinarian Scanning and Verifying a Dog's Identity:

So, make sure you register your pet. Otherwise, you'll defeat the whole purpose of obtaining the electronic identification in the first place.

Safeguard Your Pet with an Electronic ID
Unfortunately, around six million dogs and cats are placed in shelters each year. Of that amount, around 3 to 3.5 million animals are euthanized.

Safeguard Your Pet with an Electronic ID