Pet Microchipping at A Gentle Vet
Microchipping your pet provides one of the best available ways to help reunite you with your dog or cat if they escape, wander away, or become lost. Because a microchip provides your pet with a unique form of identification, it can help veterinary hospitals, animal shelters, and other organizations identify your pet and contact you when they're found.
Microchipping may also be required for certain types of international travel and health certificates. Whether you're preparing for travel or simply want an additional way to protect your pet if they become lost, a microchip provides a permanent form of identification that stays with them.
What is a pet microchip?
A pet microchip is a small radio-frequency identification (RFID) transponder, approximately the size of a grain of rice. Each microchip contains a unique identification number associated with your pet's registration information.
When a microchip scanner is passed over your pet, the scanner sends out a signal that activates the chip. The microchip then transmits its unique identification number back to the scanner. That number can be used to access the registration information associated with your pet and help reunite you.
Is a pet microchip a GPS tracker?
No. A pet microchip does not actively transmit a signal and cannot track your pet's location. It only responds when a compatible microchip scanner is passed over it. The scanner reads your pet's unique identification number, which can then be used to locate the contact information associated with the microchip registration.
Is getting a microchip painful for pets?
Microchipping is performed with an injection, so there can be some mild, brief discomfort when the microchip is placed. However, the chip itself is inert and is not designed to create the type of immune response associated with vaccinations. Any discomfort is generally related to the injection itself rather than the microchip remaining under the skin.
When should I microchip my pet?
We generally recommend microchipping your pet as early as reasonably possible. Because the needle used to place a microchip is slightly larger than a typical injection needle and the chip is about the size of a grain of rice, we may recommend waiting until a very small puppy or kitten has grown a little larger.
Your veterinarian can evaluate your pet's size and age and help determine the appropriate time for microchip placement.
Are there privacy concerns with pet microchips?
A microchip itself only contains a unique identification number and does not continuously transmit your personal information or your pet's location. How registration information is stored and protected depends on the security and privacy practices of the company maintaining the microchip registry.
A Gentle Vet typically uses PetLink microchips, which are internationally recognized and include lifetime registration without ongoing registration fees.
Do I need to update my pet's microchip information?
Yes. A microchip is most useful when the registration information associated with it is current. If you move, change your phone number, or have other changes to your contact information, be sure to update your pet's microchip registration. Keeping this information current helps ensure you can be contacted quickly if your pet is ever found.
How can I get my pet microchipped?
If your dog or cat isn't already microchipped, contact A Gentle Vet to schedule an appointment. We can discuss the microchipping process, determine the appropriate time for placement, and help make sure your pet has a permanent form of identification if they ever become lost.