Microchipping
Microchipping provides a permanent ID to help reunite lost pets with their owners quickly and safely.
Losing a pet ranks among the most distressing experiences for any pet owner, and the odds of reunion drop dramatically for animals without proper identification. Collars and tags can fall off or become unreadable, but microchips provide permanent identification that increases the likelihood of bringing lost pets home by significantly improving the chances that whoever finds your dog or cat can contact you.
We offer microchipping services as part of comprehensive preventive care at Fish Creek Animal Hospital. This simple procedure takes just seconds to complete and provides lifelong identification for your pet. Our veterinarians can place microchips during routine appointments, wellness examinations, or while your pet is already under anesthesia for surgical procedures.
How Microchips Work
Pet microchips are tiny electronic devices about the size of a grain of rice that store a unique identification number. These radio frequency identification chips contain no batteries or moving parts, remaining inactive until scanned by a compatible reader. When a scanner passes over the chip, it emits a low-frequency radio wave that provides power to the chip, allowing it to transmit its identification number back to the reader.
The microchip itself does not contain your contact information or track your pet’s location. Instead, the unique number stored in the chip links to a registration database where you maintain your current contact details. Animal shelters, veterinary clinics, and animal control facilities throughout the country have universal scanners that read all major microchip frequencies, allowing them to identify found pets and contact owners quickly.
Registration and Database Management
Microchipping only works if you register the chip number with your current contact information. After placing the chip, we provide registration paperwork including the chip number and instructions for enrolling in the manufacturer’s database. Most companies offer free lifetime registration, though some charge minimal fees. You must keep this registration current by updating your information whenever you move, change phone numbers, or transfer pet ownership.
Multiple online databases exist for microchip registration, and some chips are registered with more than one service for redundancy. We recommend registering with the chip manufacturer’s database at minimum, as this ensures the chip number appears in searches performed by shelters and clinics. Some universal databases allow registration of any microchip regardless of manufacturer, providing additional security for pet recovery.
The Microchipping Procedure
Placing a microchip involves injecting the tiny device under your pet’s skin using a needle slightly larger than those used for vaccinations. Most pets tolerate the procedure well with no sedation required, experiencing brief discomfort similar to receiving a vaccine. The chip is typically placed between the shoulder blades, though implant location varies slightly by species and veterinary preference.
The entire process takes less than a minute from preparation through confirmation scanning. After injecting the chip, we immediately scan the area to verify the chip is functioning properly and reading correctly. We record the chip number in your pet’s medical records and provide you with documentation for registration. No special aftercare is required, and your pet can resume normal activities immediately.
When to Microchip Your Pet
Puppies and kittens can be microchipped as early as a few weeks of age, though many veterinarians prefer waiting until pets are slightly older to ensure proper placement. We often place microchips during spay or neuter surgeries when pets are already under anesthesia, eliminating any discomfort associated with the injection. However, microchipping does not require anesthesia and can be performed during any routine veterinary visit.
Adult pets benefit from microchipping at any age. Even indoor-only pets should be microchipped, as these animals face particular danger if they escape unfamiliar with outdoor environments and lacking street awareness. Senior pets may be microchipped without concern, as the procedure poses no age-related risks. If you adopted a pet from a shelter or rescue, check whether a microchip was already placed and ensure registration information is current.
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Microchip Safety and Effectiveness
Microchips are considered extremely safe with minimal risk of complications. The chips are made from biocompatible materials that do not react with body tissues or cause rejection. Migration, where the chip moves from the implant site, occurs rarely and typically does not affect functionality. Adverse reactions including infection or inflammation at the injection site are uncommon and usually resolve quickly.
Studies demonstrate microchips significantly increase pet recovery rates. Dogs with microchips are more than twice as likely to be returned to their owners compared to unchipped dogs, while microchipped cats are returned at rates more than twenty times higher than cats without chips. These dramatic differences emphasize the importance of permanent identification, particularly for cats who rarely wear collars and often escape detection when lost.
Addressing Common Concerns
Some pet owners worry about microchip technology tracking their pet’s location or emitting harmful radiation. Microchips are passive devices that emit no signal unless activated by a scanner. They cannot track your pet’s movements or transmit data without being scanned. The radio frequency energy used is extremely low and poses no health risks to pets or people.
Concerns about cancer risk associated with microchips have been raised but remain largely theoretical. Isolated cases of tumors at chip implant sites have been reported in scientific literature, but these instances are extraordinarily rare. The benefits of microchipping far outweigh the minimal theoretical risks, particularly given the high rates of pet loss and low recovery rates for unchipped animals.
Maximizing Recovery Chances
Microchipping provides excellent identification, but additional measures increase the likelihood of quick reunions with lost pets. Keep a collar with current identification tags on your pet, as this provides immediately visible contact information for anyone who finds them. Tags serve as first-line identification, while microchips provide backup when collars are lost or removed.
Take clear, current photographs of your pet from multiple angles, including any distinguishing marks or features. These photos help identify your pet if they are found without identification. Maintain records of your pet’s microchip number, along with registration information and customer service contact details for the database. Having this information readily available speeds the update process if your contact information changes.
What to Do If Your Pet Goes Missing
If your pet goes missing, contact local animal shelters, animal control facilities, and veterinary clinics immediately to report the loss. Provide your pet’s microchip number and ask facilities to check their records for any animals matching your pet’s description. Visit shelters in person if possible, as staff may not always scan every animal that arrives.
Check your microchip registration to ensure all contact information is current and accurate. Some registry services offer additional features like lost pet alerts that notify local shelters and veterinary clinics when you report a pet missing. Spread the word through social media, neighborhood apps, and lost pet websites to maximize visibility and increase chances of recovery.
Universal Scanning Technology
Modern universal scanners read all common microchip frequencies used in the United States, eliminating compatibility concerns that existed with older technology. These scanners detect microchips operating at different frequencies and display the chip number regardless of manufacturer. Most animal shelters, veterinary clinics, and animal control agencies throughout the country have universal scanners.
When scanning a found pet, we check for microchips as standard protocol. The scan takes just seconds and causes no discomfort to the animal. Once we locate a chip, we contact the registry database to obtain owner information and facilitate reunion. This system works remarkably well when pets are microchipped and registration is current, allowing lost animals to return home quickly.
Comprehensive Pet Protection at Fish Creek Animal Hospital
We have served Montgomery and surrounding communities for over three years, providing personalized veterinary care focused on keeping dogs and cats healthy and safe. Our practice emphasizes preventive measures like microchipping that protect your pet throughout their life. We handle microchip placement gently and efficiently, making the experience as stress-free as possible for pets and owners.
Our three veterinarians and skilled veterinary technicians perform microchipping during regular appointments at your convenience. We offer flexible scheduling from early morning to evening hours, with select Saturday availability to accommodate busy schedules. Our team provides clear instructions for microchip registration and answers questions about keeping your pet’s information current. Contact us today to schedule an appointment and give your pet the protection of permanent identification through microchipping.
**Our accepted forms of payment include CareCredit, Scratchpay, cash, Discover, Mastercard, Visa, and American Express.**
