How can a microchip keep you and your pet together?Despite your best efforts, accidents can happen and pets can become lost. If they’re wearing a collar and identification tag, chances are good that you’ll get them back. But what if the collar or tags come off?To protect their pets, many owners turn to microchips. Microchips are tiny transponders, about the size of a grain of rice, that can be implanted under your pet’s skin by most veterinarians and animal shelters; some shelters implant chips in all pets they place.
A microchip isn’t the same as a GPS device, and it can’t be used to track your pet’s whereabouts. It’s simply a unique identifier (think of it as your pet’s social security number) that is implanted so it can’t be lost. Studies show that pets with chips are much more likely to be returned to their owners than those who lack one.
How and where are microchips placed?
Microchips are implanted just under the skin, usually right between the shoulder blades. This is done with a needle and doesn’t require anesthesia. Each microchip contains an identification number and the phone number of the registry for the particular brand of chip. A handheld scanner reads the radio frequency of the chip and displays this information. An animal shelter or vet clinic that finds your pet can contact the registry to get your name and phone number (or do an online search of all major microchip registries).
How long do microchips last?
Microchips are designed to work for 25 years.
Where can I get my pet microchipped?
Many veterinarians and some animal shelters implant microchips for a small fee. But—and this is very important—just getting a microchip isn’t enough. You also need to register your pet’s microchip to link the chip number to your name and contact information.
How do I register my pet?
Most microchip registries allow you to register a chip online. Some companies charge a one-time registration fee, others charge an annual fee and some are free but may charge for extra optional services. However, there are completely free options for registering your pet’s microchip, no matter the brand, such as the American Animal Hospital Association’s Free Chip Registry.
What if I move or change my phone number or email address?
You should update your microchip registry information online or ask the company to update your information. If your pet becomes lost, you’ll want them back as quickly as possible, so you want to make it easy for any shelter, vet clinic or animal services agency that finds your pet to contact you.
What do I do if I adopt a pet who’s already been microchipped?
Use the AAHA online microchip lookup tool to see if your pet’s microchip has been registered and to update the information. If the chip hasn’t been registered, you can simply register it with your name and contact information. If you don’t know your pet’s microchip number, ask your vet, animal shelter or local rescue group to scan your pet and provide you with the number.
