You may have heard about microchipping your pet. Maybe your pet even has one from a rescue or adoption agency. But what are they? And how do they work?
Essentially, a microchip is a permanent ID for your pet. Unlike collars or tags that can break or fall off, the microchip goes beneath your pet's skin. The chip itself is the size of a single grain of rice, and it can never fall off or become unreadable.
When someone finds a lost pet without identification, they can bring them to us and we can use our Universal Microchip Scanner to see if the pet is chipped. The reader then displays a series of numbers, letters or symbols. This microchip number can then be entered into a microchip search, such as the one provided on AAHA's site here.
The website provides the manufacturer of the microchip as well as a phone number so we can call the company and request the contact information associated with the chip. Once we have the owner's contact information, it's just a matter of letting them know we have found their beloved pet!
The chip itself has no internal power source, so it never stops working. As a pet owner, it is your job to ensure your contact information is up to date! Especially in these fast, technologically changing times, be sure that you have your cell phone number on file and your most current address. Once you pay for the microchip and registration, there should be no additional fees for updating your information for as long as your pet lives.
Did you know there are other great uses for microchips beyond just protecting your pet? Click here to read about special pet doors that only activate for your pet, but keep other critters out! There are also special feeders that only allow your pet to eat their food! This is especially great for cats and dogs who are on special prescription diets!
If you are unsure if your pet is microchipped, give us a call and we can check the medical records. If your pet is not chipped, we can easily schedule an appointment. Call us at 630-844-0100, send us an email, or message us on Facebook!