The importance of microchipping to prevent lost pets

Keep tags and microchips up to date

It is very important that any pet gets microchipped.  If you don't think it is, check around to see how many "LOST DOG" ads you find on places like Craiglist or one of the lost dog websites.  A name tag is very important, too, because someone can read it easily, but collars can come off, and tags can fall off or become faded.  Tattoos are a great option, too, and I highly recommend them, but there's a possibility it would go unnoticed if hair grows over the area where the number is.  A microchip lasts for the lifetime of the animal and never has to be replaced.  Some common brands are AVID and HomeAgain, AKC CAR, and 24PetWatch. 

I have both the AKC chip in one dog, and HomeAgain in the others.  If my dog is found, the AKC Companion Animal Recovery will send me an email and a text message to my phone.  I can update my information online at anytime.

Who should microchip their pets?

Everyone should.  If you are a dog breeder, I highly suggest microchipping all your puppies before they go to a new home.  If you adopted a pet, find out if the shelter microchipped the pet and update the information.  If you have a dog or cat, or even a ferret or bird, they can all be microchipped by your vet.

AVID Vice President Peter Troesch said his company’s chips are implanted in some 2 million cats and dogs in the country. Because to the chips, he said, an average of 1,200 stray animals a day are returned to their homes.  Microchips can also help prove ownership if your dog is ever stolen.

But is it worth it?  What about...

Last time I was at the vet I asked about microchips.  My dogs both had the Home Again brand chip, but I heard someone say microchips are not worth it because the scanners can be different.  My vet said no, they have a universal scanner.  Even if the chip is form another company or another country, they can get the number.  There are at least 4 different microchip frequencies marketed in the US, and the unversal scanners can read them all.

The chip is implanted in with a needle, between the shoulder blades, and my dog did not even notice it.  It feels like a grain of rice under the skin, it is very small.  If you feel for it you may find it, but I do not touch it so as not to irritate the area.

How does it work?
The microchip contains a unique number.  A radio signal is used to read this number through the skin of your pet as the scanner is applied.  So the microchip contains no power source, it comes from the scanner.  All it contains is a number, like a serial number.  Once the number comes up on the scanner, the company can be telephoned and can give the owner's information.  In no way is a microchip a tracking or GPS tool, it gives off no signals.

Do people ever get microchipped?

Yes, people have been given microchip identification and it was FDA approved.  Some of the people microchipped have been medical patients or those with memory disorders.  Not everyone feels comfortable with the idea of having instant ID built into them, however.  Remember that nothing comes up in the pet chip scanner but the number, and it's the companies themselves you have to call for info.

How much does it cost?
It is not expensive.  I paid about $65.  Many shelters and low-cost clinics do it cheaper, for example, Animal Care League in Oak Park charges $15 to microchip any pet.  It is worth it!

It is important to keep your information up to date if you have a microchip.  This can be done by simply calling the company.