Do you recommend that we have a microchip implanted in our family’s dog?
Yes, I would highly recommend having a microchip implanted in your family’s dog. It is an easy way to permanently identify your dog for the rest of its life. Although tags on the collar are a popular way to identify your pet, these are not permanent. Tags on the collar can fall off, the collar can come off, and the writing can wear off making it difficult to read. Implanting a microchip is an easy and inexpensive way to permanently link your dog to you.
Is the microchip implantation procedure painful for my animal?
The microchip is only about the size of a grain of rice and it is and electronic chip that is implanted between the shoulder blades just beneath the surface of the skin. The process is much like getting a shot and only will take a few seconds. No electricity or batteries are used in the chip; it reacts to signal sent from a scanner and simply reads back the numbers on the chip. No other information is contained in the chip, and it cannot be used to track your pet.
Do I need to register my information, once the chip is implanted?
Yes, once the microchip is implanted, you will need to register your pet with the corresponding microchip company.
Do most clinics have micro chip scanners?
Yes, now that microchips are being widely used, every animal shelter and animal clinic will have a scanner for microchips. This means that if your dog ends up missing and someone finds him or her, they can take your dog to any clinic or shelter where the dog can be scanned. Your dog will be given a unique code on his or her microchip that will appear when scanned. This code can then be used to trace your dog back to your name, address, and phone number.
What are the statistics of lost pets with micro chips being returned to their families?
The likelihood of a microchipped pet being returned greatly increases if the animal gets lost or stolen. Without a microchip, lost pets are returned to their owners in only 13% of cases. With a microchip, this number rises to 74%, even returning pets found 1000 miles away from home.
In addition to the microchip, all animals should wear a collar with identification and rabies tags. A microchip serves as a permanent method of identification that the animal cannot lose, but, if present, tags will usually result in a quicker return of your pet. Please contact your veterinarian and consider micro chipping your pet(s).
For more information on micro chipping click here.
5 Steps to Take Today if Your Microchipped Pet Goes Missing