Microchipping

Few things are as terrifying to an owner as losing their pet. Since dogs and cats can’t talk, it makes it that much more difficult for them to find their way home, as they can’t tell a kind stranger where they live. Implanting a microchip is the best way to ensure your pet returns to you safe and sound. Every veterinary clinic has a microchip scanner on site, as do shelters, and most people know that they can bring a stray animal that they’ve found to a shelter or clinic to be scanned for a microchip, and from there you will be contacted.

Why is it a good idea to microchip my dog?

For many years, collars and tags were the best forms of identification for our pets. Collars, however, can be broken or slip off, leaving your pet without their ticket home. A microchip is a small rice sized chip that gets implanted under the skin, usually around the shoulder area, and when scanned, it will bring up a microchip number. Since it is under the skin, the chances of your pet losing it are very slim.

How does microchipping work and is it safe for my dog?

The chip is inserted under the skin using a syringe-like applicator. Like giving a vaccine, the needle is inserted into the skin, and the chip is injected. If your dog is a puppy, we recommend microchipping them when they come in for their spay/neuter since they will be anesthetized. However, the procedure can be done in an awake dog as well. When scanned, the microchip only brings up a number which can then be searched in an online database, and this database will indicate which company the chip is registered with. The company is the only one with access to your personal contact information. Once your dog is found, they will be called by those who are holding your dog, and then they will contact you. Your information never leaves the microchip company’s database.