Microchipping
More and more pet owners are choosing to microchip their pets. Collars and ID tags can be torn off, removed or become illegible. Microchips make sure that lost or stolen animals are reunited with their owners. Cities are increasingly requiring this universal and permanent form of identification.
For additional information about cost or to schedule an appointment, please get in touch with our clinic.
How do microchips work?
The microchip is a tiny electronic chip, about the size of a grain of rice. Each chip has a unique ID number. It is sterilized and then inserted into the animal’s back with a syringe. Afterwards, you have to register as the pet’s owner with the microchip manufacturer. This associates the ID number with your contact information, which should be kept up to date.
If an animal is found and taken to a shelter or a veterinary clinic, they can use a microchip scanner to see if the animal is microchipped and who owns it. Most shelters and veterinary clinics now have this device.
Is the procedure painful?
Microchipping causes only a slight discomfort for a few seconds at most. The procedure is over very quickly. We can numb the insertion area for more sensitive or stressed animals. In most cases, we insert the microchip when your pet is under general anaesthesia for another procedure, like spaying or neutering.