Whether you are a cat or dog parent, pets hold a special place in our hearts. The idea of them going missing is a nightmare for any pet owner. While traditional methods like collars and tags can fall short, microchipping, especially services like mobile pet microchipping, emerges as a reliable alternative.

This guide will dive into the world of pet microchipping, exploring what it is, its benefits, how it works, and more, to give you the comprehensive knowledge you need to make an informed decision for the safety of your furry family member.

Key Takeaways:

  • Microchipping provides a reliable and long-lasting form of identification that is more permanent than collars and tags, making it more likely to be reunited with a lost pet.
  • Approximately 72% of microchipped animals were successfully reunited with their families, highlighting the effectiveness of microchipping in swiftly identifying and locating lost pets.
  • Microchips, hidden under the skin, deter theft and offer a discreet, non-invasive form of identification, significantly enhancing pet parents’ safety and peace of mind.

Let’s explore!

What is a Pet Microchip?

A pet microchip is a tiny transponder, roughly the size of a grain of rice, that serves as a permanent form of identification when implanted under a pet's skin. These Radio Frequency Identification Tags (RFID) function similarly to barcodes, although they don't actively transmit information.

When a microchip scanner reads the chip, it displays a unique ID number. This number can be cross-referenced with a national database, linking it to the pet parent's contact details. If your pet goes missing, the microchip serves as a reliable backup identification method, complementing traditional collars.

How Do Pet Microchips Work?

Pet microchips are not active tracking devices; they don't transmit real-time location data like GPS devices. Instead, they store a unique identification number. When a scanner passes over the microchip, it reads this number. This ID can then be looked up in a national database to retrieve the pet owner's contact details.

A microchip remains active for up to 25 years. It's essential to understand that the microchip itself doesn't store personal information, only the unique ID. For the system to work effectively, pet owners must ensure their contact details are up-to-date in the microchip's associated database.

Benefits of Microchipping Your Pets

Microchipping embeds a permanent ID in pets, helping to guide our precious companions back to their families. The procedure not only eases the burden on crowded shelters but also creates a safety net, helping our furry friends find their way home.

Here’s a breakdown of each benefit:

Permanent Identification

A microchip provides a reliable and long-lasting form of identification. Unlike collars and ID tags that can fall off or become unreadable, a microchip stays with your dog throughout its life, significantly improving the chances of being reunited if lost or stolen.

Increased Reunion Chances

The primary benefit of microchipping is its role in identifying a lost pet's location swiftly and efficiently. If your pet goes missing and is found and taken to a veterinarian, animal shelter, or animal control agency, they can scan the microchip to identify and contact you easily.

This process is facilitated by the microchip's unique identification number, which is linked to your contact information in a pet recovery database, allowing for a swift and direct notification process to reunite you with your pet.

An extensive shelter survey conducted in 2009 highlighted the effectiveness of this method, revealing that approximately 72% of microchipped animals were successfully reunited with their families. While microchipping cannot provide a guarantee of reunion, it significantly amplifies the chances, serving as a vital tool in safeguarding your pet and ensuring their safe return home.

Discourages Theft

Thieves can easily remove identification tags, but a microchip remains hidden under the skin, making it less likely to be discovered and removed. This can act as a deterrent and increase the chances of your cat being returned if stolen.

Simple and Quick Procedure

Microchipping is a quick and easy procedure that can be done during a vet wellness visit. Most dogs experience minimal discomfort during the insertion, similar to receiving a routine vaccination.

Non-Invasive and Unobtrusive

Microchips are tiny devices, about the size of a grain of rice, that cause no discomfort or inconvenience once implanted. You can have peace of mind knowing that your pet carries a discreet and always accessible form of identification.

Peace of Mind Is Just a Microchip Away

Find your furry friend if they get lost with in-home microchipping.

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What Happens in the Microchipping Procedure?

The process involves using a special needle to inject the microchip under the skin. Many veterinary practices and animal shelters offer this service. The most common location for implanting a microchip is between the shoulder blades, ensuring it doesn't interfere with the pet's movement.

Be aware of potential side effects like chip dislodgement, infection, and migration. Though rare, monitoring the implantation site for a week is advisable. Consult your veterinarian if you notice any abnormalities.

Post-Microchipping Care

After microchipping your pet, it's crucial to register the microchip with the registration company. Have your information in the microchip registration database always current. During regular vet wellness visits, have the microchip scanned to ensure it's still in place and functional.

Conclusion

Microchipping is essential in safeguarding your pet's safety and ensuring a swift reunion if they ever go missing. The peace of mind it offers is invaluable. Don't wait for the unexpected to happen. Contact us now to book a mobile pet microchipping service to protect your beloved pet.

Frequently Asked Questions

Does microchipping hurt pets?

The procedure is only mildly uncomfortable for more pets, similar to a vaccine injection, but it's a quick process, and pets usually don't show signs of pain afterward.

Can you feel a microchip in a pet?

Sometimes, it's possible to feel the microchip near the implantation area. However, it doesn't bother the pet.

How long does a pet microchip last?

It's designed to last a pet's lifetime, encapsulated to ensure it doesn't break down.

Can pets have more than one microchip?

Yes, especially if they've moved countries or if a previous chip became faulty.

What's the difference between microchips & GPS devices?

Microchips are not GPS devices. They don't provide real-time location tracking. If you want added security, consider using a microchip and a GPS tracking device. However, remember that trackers can be removed potentially leading to inaccurate information about your pet's whereabouts.