Microchipping Your Pet

In recent years, microchipping has become more and more popular, but did you know that there are different types of microchips?  Or what you need to do if you adopt an animal that has been microchipped?  A lot of people have misconceptions about microchips and what their true purpose is.  Today, I would like to go over the basics of microchipping with you.

Microchips are about the size of a grain of rice and are implanted between your pet’s shoulder blades.  They can be scanned and can be a tremendous help in reuniting pet and owner.  There have been some downfalls to microchipping including competing manufacturers and inaccurate assumptions by pet owners.  Some found animals live for years at a shelter or are euthanized simply because their owners could not be reached.

Common Misconceptions About Microchips:

The most common mistake people make when thinking about microchips is believing they are a GPS system for you pet.  If your pet is lost, they cannot send a signal to you telling them where they are.  You have to wait for the animal to be picked up, scanned, and then you will be notified.  The microchip is your animals phone call home (assuming you are reachable) and people don’t realize that your pet may only have that once chance to be reunited with you.

Another thing you need to think about is that most shelters will implant your pet with a microchip, but it will be in their name.  When you adopt an animal,  it is very important for you to have the contact information changed.  It is your responsibility to have the appropriate databases updated - and most importantly, put your cell phone number in there!!  If you are at work, in the car, or on vacation, odds are you will have your cell phone with you.  Authorities need to be able to contact you right away, and if they are unable to get a hold of you, it could be deadly for your pet.

Most microchips in the U.S. operate on 125 kilohertz, two brands operate on 134.2 kHz (this is the standard around the rest of the world), and the American Kennel Club has even introduced it’s own microchip which operates at 128 kHz.  It is the only U.S. chip operating at that frequency.  There are universal scanners, and thousands of them are donated to shelters and veterinary offices every year, but they don’t always read every single chip.  As of this year, only 5% of animals in the U.S. are chipped.

By far, the most important thing you need to remember is that microchipping alone may not save your pet.  Although microchips are permanent, they can be easily overlooked.  Your pet could be picked up and a worker may forget to scan or your pet may be lost in a rural area where scanning and microchipping are unheard of.

To protect your pet, I suggest you not only have your pet microchipped (and register your information with the database) but you also need common identification markers in place.  This includes a collar with ID tags (make sure your ID tags are fastened with split ring rather than an “S” hook, they are a pain to put on, but that makes them even harder to get off).

It is also important for you to make sure the information in the database is current.  If you have moved or changed telephone numbers, you have to update the information on the chip!  I am sure as technology gets more and more developed microchips will blossom and become more widespread than they are now.  It’s not easy to think about missing your pet, but microchips and ID tags can help you be reunited soon!

Thanks for reading!  As always your participation in comments and discussions are encouraged and greatly appreciated!!