With summer approaching and pets staying outside for longer periods of time, it’s a good time to invest in a microchip. Microchipping your pet is very important because it acts as an ID, which is good in cases he or she loses a collar or tags.
What are microchips and how do they work?
Microchips are tiny computer chips about the size of a grain of rice. They use radio-frequency identification (RFID), so when a microchip scanner is passed over the chip, their ID number is shown. Scanning brings up your information and you will be contacted so you can reunite with your pet.
What do you need to know about microchips?
- Microchips don’t have a battery, so they do not need to be replaced and it will last your pet’s lifetime.
- It’s relatively inexpensive. Most places charge between $25 and $50. We charge $40 for microchips. Some veterinarians offer microchip clinics or give discounts if your pet is getting vaccinated. Contact your local vet or shelter for pricing.
- Implanting the microchip is an easy process. The chip is so small that animals don’t need to be put under anesthesia. Individual vets may choose to use local anesthetics. To your pets, the procedure feels a lot like a shot. Most animals show little to no reaction to the chip, while it’s being implanted and afterward.
After the chip is implanted, you must make sure to register your information with the chip number and keep all information up-to-date. In the case your pet does get lost, this will help a shelter or kennel contact you.