A microchip is a small implant used in a variety of animals for identification. A veterinarian can easily insert the chip into a pet in a matter of minutes, and no sedation is necessary. The microchip is about the size of a grain of rice and causes little discomfort during placement. In dogs and cats, the microchip is implanted with a needle under the skin at the back of the neck between the shoulder blades.
Each microchip has a unique identification number that will be entered into a national database and linked to the owner’s name, address and phone number. Keeping your contact information up-to-date will help in reuniting you with your lost pet.
It is easy to have your pet scanned annually during their routine doctor’s visit so that your veterinarian can verify the microchip is functioning properly. Routinely update your contact information with the database and check that your pet is wearing the imprinted microchip tag on his or her collar. If your pet does not have a microchip, you can request for this quick and simple procedure to be performed by your veterinarian.
If you are not sure where your pet’s chip is registered, visit the AAHA Universal Pet Microchip Lookup Tool at petmicrochiplookup.org
Having your pet microchipped can be the difference between being lost and being found!
