Everything You Need to Know About Pet Microchipping

What Is Microchipping for Dogs and Cats?

Pet Microchipping is a small procedure that inserts a minute microchip into your pet. The microchip is approximately the same size as a grain of rice and is a quick, safe, and permanent procedure. Pet microchips provide permanent identification and improved chances of reuniting lost dogs and cats with their owners. The chip is placed just under the skin at the back of your pet’s neck, under their shoulder blades. The procedure causes little discomfort to your pet and usually can be done at the same time your pet is being neutered. A pet microchip only needs to be implanted once, and your companion animal has it for life!

Microchipping is recommended for all pet dogs and cats, as collars and tags can fall off, but a pet microchip is permanent. The microchip is injected via a syringe and only takes a few seconds. It does not require anesthesia and is no more painful than a regular vaccination shot.

Requirements for Pet Microchipping?

In the UK, you could face a fine of up to GBP £500 if your dog is not microchipped by the time it is 8 weeks old. Hong Kong also requires that all dogs are microchipped before they enter, and dogs residents over 5m old to be chipped. There are a few important requirements that pet owners should know when preparing to microchip their cat or dog.

Age

Most veterinarians recommend implanting the microchip when your pet is between 4 and 6 months old. By this age, they are big enough for the injection, and their rapid growth has slowed. However, some regions have specific legal requirements; for instance, in the UK, dogs must be microchipped by the time they are 8 weeks old. It’s important to check local regulations and consult with veterinarian to determine the best age for your pet’s microchipping.

Registration

Be sure to have the microchip registration completed, including your current contact details in the database associated with the chip’s ID number. This will help reunite you with your pet if they are lost. Keep your information up to date in the database, especially if you move or change phone numbers. Proper registration ensures that animal shelters concerned departments can contact you promptly if your pet is found.

Location

The pet microchip must be implanted beneath the skin between your pet’s shoulder blades, at the back of the neck. This location is standard practice to ensure that the chip can be easily scanned and remains secure. The procedure is quick and relatively painless, similar to a routine vaccination. Your veterinarian will ensure the microchip is properly placed and will provide aftercare instructions.

Scanning

Schedule a visit to your vet about 2 weeks after implantation to scan and confirm the microchip is functioning and readable. This follow-up ensures that the microchip is still in place and that it can be detected by a scanner. Regularly checking the microchip’s functionality during annual vet visits can help prevent any issues with identification if your pet gets lost.

There are different chips used in different countries.

For example, in Hong Kong, if the microchip does not contain the HK type of AVID 9-digit number required by Hong Kong authorities, then your dog will be re-chipped at the airport. This procedure is not required for cats, any type of microchip is ok.

Why Is Pet Microchipping Used?

Microchipping is a quick, safe and simple device/procedure that has successfully reunited thousands of pets with their owners. If your pet was to get lost or stolen, having your pet microchipped dramatically increases your chances of being able to find it again. If pets are found and taken to a local vet or animal shelter, they can scan your pet’s microchip and contact you.

It’s used internationally as the surest way of identifying which pet is which, therefore helping correlate the documents with the pet’s microchip number and, hence, the pet. There are several key reasons why microchipping is used for your dogs and cats:

1. Permanent identification

The pet microchip provides a permanent way to identify your pet even if its collar and tags are lost. The microchip has a unique ID number registered to the owner in a database. Unlike collars that can break or tags that can fall off, a microchip stays with your pet for life, ensuring a reliable form of identification. This means that no matter where your pet goes or what happens to its external identifiers, its microchip will always serve as a definitive link to you.

2. Reuniting lost pets

Animal shelters and veterinary offices have scanners to detect microchips. So, if your lost pet arrives at a facility, they can scan the chip and contact you. This quick identification process significantly speeds up the reunion process, reducing the time your pet spends away from home and minimizing their stress. The quicker your pet is identified, the faster it can be returned to the safety and comfort of its home, making microchipping an invaluable tool for pet recovery.

3. Proof of ownership

Microchips act as a form of proof that the pet legally belongs to you. They can help resolve arguments over who owns a pet if it ends up in a shelter. In legal disputes or cases of theft, the microchip provides clear evidence of ownership, which can be crucial in ensuring your pet is returned to you. This legal clarity is essential in situations where ownership is contested or in cases of lost or stolen pets.

4. Identification of injuries/illnesses

Microchips can be implanted under your pet to store medical information, such as allergies, medical history, or even vaccination. Animal shelters or vet offices can identify health conditions if a chipped pet is found injured or ill. This immediate access to vital health data can be lifesaving in emergencies, allowing for prompt and appropriate medical care. Knowing a pet’s medical background can significantly improve the effectiveness of treatment provided during critical situations.

Does a microchip implant procedure cause my pet any pain?

Many pet owners wonder if implanting a microchip is painful or stressful for their furry companions. But for your peace of mind, microchipping does not hurt your pets much. The process of pet microchipping is quick and painless. There is only a momentary pinch during the microchipping, which is pretty much similar to a regular vaccination shot. The veterinarian or trained implanter uses a specialized preloaded syringe to insert the microchip under the skin which takes just a few seconds. Most pets show no signs of pain or discomfort and usually return to normal behaviour immediately after microchipping.

How Does Microchipping Work in Dogs and Cats?

Your pet’s microchip will contain a unique number that is read on the microchip reader device.

It’s also (often, depending on country) held on a database along with your contact details. Whenever your pet is scanned, your details will appear. Therefore, it is vital that your contact details are kept up to date on the relevant national database in case your pet is lost or stolen. The database your pet is registered with should be alerted if your number, name or address are to change. This is the owner’s responsibility.

Additionally, if a pet’s owner changes the database will need to be updated. Microchipping is not a substitute for your pet wearing a collar and tags. These are prone to falling off but a microchip is permanent.

Does A Microchipping Track My Pet?

While microchips are very useful for identifying lost pets when they arrive at a shelter or vet clinic, the chips cannot pinpoint exactly where your pet is if it is lost. The microchips implanted in cats, dogs, and other animals are simple ID devices rather than GPS trackers. Here’s how microchips work and why they don’t track your pet’s movements:

• The microchip itself contains no internal power source or GPS technology. It is a small, inert chip encapsulated in a glass capsule.
• The chip contains a unique identification number that matches the pet’s registration in an external database.
• Microchips are only activated when scanned by a nearby microchip reader device. They do not emit constant signals.
• The microchip provides permanent pet identification but does not actively track the real-time location.

Who can microchip your pet?

Pet microchipping is a simple procedure that does not legally require a licensed veterinarian to perform. Veterinarians, animal shelters, and vet clinics can perform your cats’ and dog’s microchipping. Some local animal charities, organisations, and authorities may also offer it for free. If the person is properly trained to implant the pet microchips and document the registration, they can legally provide microchipping services.

How can I find out the details of my pet’s microchip?

To find the details of your pet’s microchip, take your pet along to any vet; they can scan your pet’s chip with a microchip scanner and see the details. Changing the details on your pet’s microchip is not possible, although the record can be changed at the database – you will need to contact directly the database your details are stored on. Your vet will be able to help you do this.

Can a microchip become damaged?

Because of the minute size, your cat’s or dog’s microchip is challenging to get damaged and removed. They are designed to be inserted once and not taken out. However, in very rare cases severe damage to your pet’s back and neck to could also cause damage to your pet’s microchip. On rare occasions microchips may be rejected by your pet’s body. In rare cases, we have seen the dogs’ and cats’ microchips become inactive, but this is incredibly rare.

Can all pets be microchipped?

While microchipping is suitable for most common household pets, there are some limitations on which animals can be safely and effectively microchipped. For cats and dogs, microchipping is recommended and widely performed, even on small breeds. Other common pets like rabbits, ferrets, birds, reptiles, and horses can also be successfully microchipped in most cases.
However, small companion animals like hamsters may be too tiny for chip implantation. Aquarium fish and invertebrates, like insects, are generally not considered for microchips either.

Conclusion

Microchipping plays a pivotal role in the welfare and safety of our beloved pets. As a pet relocation company, we strongly recommend microchipping your pet before any upcoming move or travel. Ensuring your pet is microchipped and registered provides essential identification and protection during the relocation process. Pet microchipping increases the chance your pet is quickly returned if lost or separated during transport. Be sure to register the microchip and keep your contact info updated with the microchip company.

Click Here For Shipping Enquiry

Frequently Asked Questions