All Animal Clinic recommends microchipping all pets that come into our clinic. Microchipping is a safe and permanent identification method that cannot be easily removed or lost. The only way to remove a microchip is through surgical means; which reduces your pet’s chance of being stolen and never reunited. Many pets are displaced during and after natural disasters occur, but many microchipped pets can be successfully returned to their owners.
Only about 5% of animals in the United States are microchipped, and yet we are able to reunite about 1,400 animals daily due to microchips. Microchips are a low-cost substitute to printing “lost pet” flyers and posters. The microchip is about the size of a grain of rice and the process is quick and easy for your pets; it’s the same discomfort as receiving routine vaccinations. PETA even says the advantages of microchipping far outweigh the temporary discomfort your pet will feel. At All Animal Clinic, the process only takes a few minutes and can have you and your pet on your way to a safer living.
How Do Microchips Work?
Microchips are a type of passive RFID – which stands for radio frequency identification. A passive RFID does not transmit information, only stores it and is read by the right device. The microchip doesn’t use a battery, so the microchip lasts for the lifetime of the pet. The covering of the microchip is biocompatible to keep the body from breaking it down or attacking it as a foreign object.
Each microchip has its own unique alpha and numerical code. This series of numbers and letters tells us who the manufacturer is so that we can gather the pet’s information. Once your pet is microchipped, it needs to be registered with your and your pet’s information. You can register by going online to the appropriate website and setting up an account or by mailing in the form – some fees may occur depending on company.
Not Sure Your Pet is Microchipped? Did You Register Your Pet?
Come by All Animal Clinic (or local veterinary hospital) and ask for your pet to be scanned. If your pet doesn’t have a microchip, then we recommend getting one as soon as possible. If your pet is microchipped, as for the microchip number. Once you have the microchip number, go to www.petmicrochiplookup.org and enter in the 9, 10, or 15-digit microchip number. From there you can determine if your pet has been registered and when the account was last updated. Make sure to keep your account updated so you and your pet have the best chance of being reunited!