Should You Microchip Your Pet?

Yes, without a doubt, have your pet microchipped. The ‘should I or shouldn’t I’ question regarding microchipping is common place in any veterinary practice, and not just for dogs and cats. Having spent several years working with a nationally recognized avian and exotics veterinarian I can tell you that any pet can be microchipped. Dogs and cats are of course the most common, but I have implanted microchips in birds, ferrets, bunnies and even a few iguanas and snakes. So why is microchipping so important? A microchip is a permanent identification for your pet. Tags get old and worn, collars break and slip off, and it doesn’t take much for a bird or bunny to get away from you when enjoying time outside. When implanted with a microchip, your pet will carry with it an identification number that is linked directly to your contact information. There are a few misconceptions about how microchips work. No, they are not GPS trackers. You will not be able to track and locate your pet like a lost cell phone. The microchip does not contain your personal information either. Each chip contains a unique identification number that can be detected and read using a microchip scanner. There are several types of microchips such as Avid or HomeAgain. Most scanners are able to detect and read all brands of microchips. Almost every veterinarian, shelter, and rescue will have a microchip scanner. The most important thing about a microchip is the registration. If you do not register your pets microchip, it’s just a number. When you have your pet chipped, you will be given paperwork and instructions on how to register the chip. It is very simple; name, address, and telephone number is usually all the information you need. Most veterinarians and rescues will actually take care of the registration for you, but in case they don’t, make sure you do it as soon as possible. If your pet gets lost and is taken to any vet or shelter, they can be scanned, the number retrieved, and matched with your contact information. It’s that simple. A lot of pet owners think that microchipping will be painful for their pet. I will be honest, implanting a microchip is no more traumatic then receiving a vaccination. The microchip itself is smaller than a grain of rice, and is implanted under the skin with a hypodermic needle. One little pinch and its done. Most owners opt to have the microchipping done during the spay or neuter surgery. If you rescue or

adopt an animal that does not have a microchip, it will cost about $45 dollars and can be done at a regular office visit. As I said before, the microchip is permanent; however, some chips may move or migrate under the skin over time. It is a good idea to have your pet scanned every time you have them to the vet to make sure the chip is still working and in the same spot. Also, make sure that you keep your contact information up to date. If you move, change phone numbers, etc. make sure to update the microchip registration. Pets are 20 times more likely to be reunited with their owners if they are chipped, so please microchip and help take some of the burden off of the shelters and rescues.