Pet Microchipping Services

Research conducted at Ohio State University found that when microchipped, cats are 20 times more likely and dogs 2.5 times more likely to be reunited with their owners. All pets turned in at animal shelters, hospitals, or veterinary clinics are first microchipped scanned. This means if your pet is microchipped when they are turned in, they will be returned. Alternatively, if they are not microchipped or do not have their collars, there is no way in telling who to contact or even if your pet has an owner.

No matter how responsible we try to be as pet owners, accidents and mistakes happen. It can happen when a friend accidentally leaves your door or gate open, a leash slips or breaks, or maybe your cat or dog is able to break through a screen door or open window. A microchip provides another way for your pet to be returned safely home.

Unfortunately, microchips are scannable RFID tags, but they are not tracking devices. Pet microchips do not emit a signal or provide the geographical location of your pet (such as GPS). Pet microchips are instead scannable pieces of technology that store contact information for the register or vet that implanted the microchip. If you upload your information into the pet recovery database, the person who finds your pet will be able to contact you directly.

Pet microchips can’t provide the location of your pet, but they can provide the right information to the vet that finds them that will help your pet get home.

If you have a dog or cat, regardless of whether they are outdoor or indoor they should be microchipped. Even if your pet wears a collar, microchipping is highly recommend as it is a permanent form of identification, where collars are not.

Traveling with your cat or dog? Currently, 102 countries require pets to be microchipped with the microchip meeting the ISO standard (learn more about which countries are included here). If adopting a pet from the pound, check if they may already be microchipped. Microchipping may also be provided by the animal shelter as part of your pet’s adoption.

Getting your pet microchipped is quick and simple. It’s completed at our hospital during your pet’s appointment or implanted when your pet is spayed or neutered. The microchip comes preloaded in a sterile applicator and is injected under the loose skin on your pet between their shoulder blades. Taking only a few seconds to implant, the microchip will include a register number and their contact details.

After your pet receives a microchip, register your pet’s microchip with a national pet recovery database with your contact information and make sure it is kept up-to-date.

For your pet, the experience is equivalent to getting a routine shot or vaccine and does not require anesthesia. If your pet is already undertaking a procedure (such as getting spayed or neutered) it is the perfect time to get them microchipped. Our caring and skilled veterinarian has been performing microchipping services for more than 15 years and will make sure the process is as quick and painless as possible.

Your pet only needs to be microchipped once. Pet microchips are made of biocompatible material, meaning they will not deteriorate over time and are built to last the lifetime of your pet. Microchips also do not require power or have any moving part, meaning they do not wear out over time or need replacing.

Most pets usually have a collar, and we recommend that you get one if yours doesn’t. However, sometimes a collar can fall off, your pet may remove it, or the information may become hard to read. In these moments when your pet can’t be identified with their collar, owners are relieved to know if your pet has been microchipped, it might be their ticket home given microchips are permanent.

After your pet receives a microchip, the final step is to register your pet’s microchip with a national pet recovery database such as HomeAgain and provide your contact information so you can be contacted directly should your lost pet be found.

Microchips are so small that after being implanted, your pet won’t even know it’s there! But you will. So will any vet or animal hospital that finds your lost pet. They will also be able to return them home, thanks to the information available on your pet’s microchip.