Pet microchips are an invaluable tool to help reunite lost pets with their people, keeping families together and helping to reduce the number of homeless pets. They essentially act as permanent identification tags, so even if a lost pet isn’t wearing a collar or other ID, they can still be traced back to their family.
The microchip itself is a tiny electronic chip encased in a glass cylinder — roughly the size of a grain of rice — that’s implanted under an animal’s skin. When lost pets are found, they will likely be scanned for a chip. Most veterinary clinics, animal shelters, and even some police and fire stations have universal microchip scanners, which work on all types of pet microchips, and they will usually scan pets for free. Scanning a microchip brings up an identification number that’s unique to the pet. That number can then be searched in a pet microchip database to find contact information for the animal’s family.
Are you considering having your pet microchipped, or do you already have a microchip and are wondering how it works? Here is some helpful information to know about pet microchips and finding lost pets.
Where to get a cat or dog microchip
Many veterinary clinics and animal shelters provide pet microchips, and the cost of a microchip can vary. Animal welfare organizations all across the country often hold clinics where they offer low-cost or free microchips to the public, and pets adopted from animal shelters and rescue groups might already come microchipped.
How microchips are implanted
For cats and dogs, microchips are generally placed under the skin between their shoulder blades using a hypodermic needle. The process is similar to a pet receiving a vaccination; it’s safe, quick, and requires no anesthesia or surgery. It can be done during a typical vet exam or even when the animal is under anesthesia for another procedure, such as spay/neuter surgery.