Why is microchipping important?

One in iii pets will get lost at some betoken in their lives, according to the American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA). One of the all-time ways to help ensure that you and your domestic dog or cat will be reunited if they go lost is to make sure your they have a microchip.

A Vet checking out a happy dog.

How to become your pet microchipped

First, brand an date with Petco's veterinary services. They'll scan your pet and, if they find a microchip, they'll give yous your pet's ID number and the name of microchip registry. It will then be up to you to phone call the registry and provide updated contact information.

If your canis familiaris or cat doesn't take a microchip, our vets tin can perform the procedure. A microchip is implanted using a needle. The microchip is so modest that implantation does not require surgery or fifty-fifty anesthesia. Your Petco vet volition provide you with paperwork containing your pet's ID number and registry information so you can annals your pet.

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Frequently Asked Questions

What is a pet microchip?

This microchip is a tiny responder (about the size of a grain of rice) that is implanted beneath your pet's skin between their shoulder blades. The transponder contains a unique identification number that belongs to your canis familiaris or true cat. The dazzler of a microchip is that it doesn't need batteries and doesn't use an electric charge. When scanned, it will transmit its ID number to the scanner. The microchip is designed to concluding for up to 25 years, then you lot shouldn't need to replace information technology.
One of your most important jobs as a pet parent is to register your dog or true cat's microchip ID number so you can be contacted if your lost pet is found.

How does a microchip in a cat or dog piece of work if my pet is lost?

Let's say your pet goes exploring without your permission. Maybe their collar gets snagged and comes off, so they no longer have their ID. Your pet then gets picked upward and dropped off at a shelter or local vet's office, where they're scanned for a microchip. The scan reveals your pet'due south identification number and its associated registry. The vet or shelter contacts the registry, who reaches out to y'all to tell you where to find your pet.
That's why it is then crucial that y'all register your pet's microchip. The chip itself just transmits an ID number. It's upwardly to you and your vet'south office to connect that ID number to your personal information and then the registry can reach you if your pet gets lost.

Does a cat or dog microchip work?

The answer is a resounding yes, equally long every bit your pet's ID number is registered. In fact, according to the American Veterinarian Medical Association (AMVA), microchipped dogs are twice as likely to return dwelling to their pet parents than pups without microchips. And microchipped cats are 20 times more likely to exist reunited with their family than their unmicrochipped counterparts.
Unfortunately, nearly 40% of cats and dogs with microchips aren't registered. In fact, incorrect or missing pet parent information in the microchip registry is the main reason lost pets don't arrive domicile.

How do microchip registries piece of work?

Several different registries offer pet microchips, and each registry keeps its own database. Well-nigh registries accuse a small upfront price for a lifetime membership.
Some shelters will microchip all the pets they place and include the registration toll in the pet'south adoption fee. In those cases, the paperwork you'll receive as part of your adoption should include the information on your pet's microchip, including the microchip ID number and the microchip'due south registry.
The day yous bring home your new canis familiaris or true cat is an exciting one, simply don't get so caught upwards in the fun that you forget to update their microchip. You can either call the registry to submit your information or create an business relationship on the registry's website. It only takes a few minutes to help ensure your pet makes it back domicile if they e'er become lost. If your pet isn't microchipped earlier they get yours, information technology volition be up to you to take care of that important procedure.
Fortunately, although different microchips transmit their information on unlike radio frequencies, almost shelters, vet offices and animal control offices possess scanners that can read any type of microchip. And Petco's veterinary services are hither to help y'all get registered or become microchipped.

Do I need to microchip my pet if they already habiliment a collar?

Aye. Collars can get loose and come up off when a pet gets lost, especially if they wear a breakaway collar. Additionally, the engraving on ID tags tin can vesture downwardly over time, making it hard for anyone to read them. Microchips and a neckband with an ID tag are not mutually exclusive—your pet needs both.

Does the microchip rail my pet'south location?

A microchip is not a GPS tracker and will non tell you where to find your pet if they get lost. A GPS microchip would need to be constantly powered, and that would make it hard to maintain.

How big is the microchip?

The microchip is extremely pocket-sized, most the size of a grain of rice. Some pets may feel a footling pain when it's implanted. Anesthesia is not needed, but you can ask your vet to utilize a numbing agent. Your pet tin can go home with you and engage in everyday activities immediately after the procedure. Keep in mind that they may feel temporarily sore at the injection site.

What happens if I move or change my number?

Whenever your contact data changes, exist sure to update your pet'south microchip information. Call the microchip registry or sign into your online registry account to update your information. Our vet'southward office can aid y'all with this step.

What if my pet has a microchip from a previous domicile?

If you think your pet may already accept a microchip from a previous pet parent, ask ane of our Petco vets to browse for the microchip. The vet can requite you the microchip'due south ID number and registry information. You'll then need to contact the registry to change your pet'southward contact data.

Does my pet need a microchip to travel?

In many cases, a pet will need to have a microchip to travel to another country. Before traveling with a pet, review your destination country's rules virtually microchipping, vaccinations and quarantine periods. Even if a microchip is not required for travel, information technology is still highly recommended for proper identification and tracking purposes.

Is it possible for a microchip to go lost?

Within 24 hours of existence microchipped, your pet's tissue will bond to the chip, which usually prevents it from moving effectually. In rare cases the chip may migrate under the skin, but it will not fall out.

Do scanners find all varieties of microchips?

Pet microchips are fabricated by many different companies and operate on different frequencies. In the by, this was sometimes a problem considering some scanners could only notice certain microchip frequencies. However, our vet offices and many shelters and brute control offices at present use a universal scanner that can selection upwards every make of microchip.

Do I need to practise anything to maintain my pet'due south microchip?

Your pet'due south microchip should final throughout their life and not require whatsoever maintenance. The only things you need to do are register the microchip and update your account whenever you lot movement or become a new phone number. That is the very best mode to help ensure your dog or cat is reunited with you if they e'er become missing.
You can acquire more virtually how to care for your pet with Petco'south Animal Intendance Sheets.

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