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Microchip Your Dog for Its Safety, Your Peace of Mind
To microchip your dog, a small implant placed under the skin of a dog or other animal for identification purposes. The chips are about the size of a large grain of rice and are based on a passive RFID (Radio Frequency Identification) technology. Micro-chipping your dog is becoming increasingly more common and many shelters and other animal agencies are now providing them as part of the adoption. These chips allow your pet to be identified so they can be returned to you in case she is lost or stolen. They're cheap too! I've seen microchips for dogs cost anywhere from $25 to $65, a small price to pay for your dog's safety and your peace of mind! The following information is provided by the Humane Society of the United States. How Microchips Work Each microchip contains a registration number and the phone number of the registry for the particular brand of chip. A hand held scanner reads the radio frequency of the chip and displays this information. The animal shelter or vet clinic that finds your pet can contact the registry to get your name and phone number. Can a microchip get lost inside my pet? Your pet's subcutaneous tissue usually bonds to the chip within 24 hours, preventing it from moving, although there's a small chance that the chip could migrate. But it can't actually get lost inside your pet. How long do microchips last? Microchips are designed to work for 25 years. Where can I get my pet micro-chipped? Many veterinarians and some animal shelters implant microchips for a small fee. This is done with a large-bore needle and doesn't require anesthesia. But—and this is very important—just getting a microchip isn't enough—you also need to register your pet with the microchip company. How do I register my pet? Complete the paperwork that comes with the chip and send it to the registry, or do it online if that option is available. Some companies charge a one-time registration fee while others charge an annual fee. You’ll also receive a tag for your pet’s collar with the chip number and registry phone number.
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