Did you know roughly one in three pets will be lost at least once in their lifetime? We never think it will happen to us, until it does. A microchip is one of the simplest, most affordable things you can do to make sure a lost pet finds their way home.
What Is a Pet Microchip?
A microchip is a tiny device, about the size of a grain of rice, placed under your pet’s skin between the shoulder blades by a vet. It carries a unique ID number. When a lost pet is scanned at a shelter or vet clinic, that number pulls up your contact information so you can be reunited.
Why Every Pet Should Be Chipped
Collars and tags are great, until they slip off or the pet slips out of them. A microchip is permanent. Escape artists, anxious dogs, indoor cats that dart out a door, and pets spooked by monsoon thunderstorms or Fourth of July fireworks all benefit. It dramatically raises the odds of getting your pet back.
A Microchip Only Works If It’s Registered
This is the step people miss: the chip is useless if your contact details aren’t registered and current. After your pet is chipped, register the number with the manufacturer’s database, and update it any time you move or change your phone number. An out-of-date registration is the number-one reason chips fail to reunite pets.
Microchipping FAQ
Does microchipping hurt my pet?
It’s a quick injection similar to a routine vaccination, most pets barely react. It can be done during a normal vet visit or spay/neuter surgery.
Does a microchip track my pet’s location?
No, a microchip is not a GPS tracker. It stores an ID number that’s read by a scanner. It only helps once someone finds your pet and has them scanned.
My pet is already chipped, is there anything else to do?
Yes: confirm the chip is registered and that your contact information is current. It’s worth double-checking every year and any time you move.
Keeping your pets safe is what we care about most. While your pets are in our care, our insured, bonded team treats their safety like our own, learn more about our pet sitting and dog walking across the North Valley.
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