Why is microchipping important?

One in 3 pets volition become lost at some point in their lives, according to the American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA). Ane of the best ways to aid ensure that y'all and your dog or cat will exist reunited if they get lost is to make sure your they have a microchip.

A Vet checking out a happy dog.

How to become your pet microchipped

Beginning, brand an appointment with Petco's veterinarian services. They'll scan your pet and, if they find a microchip, they'll give you your pet'due south ID number and the name of microchip registry. Information technology will and so be up to y'all to call the registry and provide updated contact information.

If your dog or true cat doesn't have a microchip, our vets can perform the procedure. A microchip is implanted using a needle. The microchip is so small that implantation does non crave surgery or even anesthesia. Your Petco vet will provide you lot with paperwork containing your pet's ID number and registry information and then you can register your pet.

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Frequently Asked Questions

What is a pet microchip?

This microchip is a tiny responder (almost the size of a grain of rice) that is implanted beneath your pet'southward pare between their shoulder blades. The transponder contains a unique identification number that belongs to your canis familiaris or cat. The dazzler of a microchip is that it doesn't need batteries and doesn't use an electric charge. When scanned, it volition transmit its ID number to the scanner. The microchip is designed to last for up to 25 years, so you shouldn't need to supercede information technology.
One of your most of import jobs equally a pet parent is to register your canis familiaris or true cat'southward microchip ID number so y'all can exist contacted if your lost pet is found.

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

Let'due south say your pet goes exploring without your permission. Maybe their neckband gets snagged and comes off, and so they no longer have their ID. Your pet and so gets picked upwards and dropped off at a shelter or local vet's office, where they're scanned for a microchip. The scan reveals your pet'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 detect your pet.
That's why information technology is then crucial that you register your pet'south microchip. The chip itself but transmits an ID number. It's upwards to you and your vet'southward office to connect that ID number to your personal information so the registry tin reach you if your pet gets lost.

Does a cat or dog microchip piece of work?

The answer is a resounding yep, every bit long as your pet'due south ID number is registered. In fact, co-ordinate to the American Veterinary Medical Association (AMVA), microchipped dogs are twice as likely to return home to their pet parents than pups without microchips. And microchipped cats are 20 times more probable to be reunited with their family than their unmicrochipped counterparts.
Unfortunately, nearly forty% 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 make it home.

How practise microchip registries work?

Several different registries offer pet microchips, and each registry keeps its ain database. Most registries charge a small upfront cost for a lifetime membership.
Some shelters will microchip all the pets they place and include the registration price in the pet's adoption fee. In those cases, the paperwork yous'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 you lot bring home your new domestic dog or true cat is an exciting one, but don't become and then caught upward in the fun that you forget to update their microchip. Y'all can either call the registry to submit your data or create an account on the registry'south website. It only takes a few minutes to help ensure your pet makes it back home if they ever become lost. If your pet isn't microchipped earlier they become yours, information technology will be up to you to take care of that of import procedure.
Fortunately, although dissimilar microchips transmit their data on different radio frequencies, most shelters, vet offices and animal control offices possess scanners that tin can read any type of microchip. And Petco's veterinary services are here to help you get registered or go microchipped.

Exercise I need to microchip my pet if they already wearable a collar?

Yeah. Collars can get loose and come off when a pet gets lost, especially if they article of clothing a breakaway neckband. Additionally, the engraving on ID tags can wear down over fourth dimension, making information technology hard for anyone to read them. Microchips and a collar with an ID tag are not mutually exclusive—your pet needs both.

Does the microchip track my pet's location?

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

How big is the microchip?

The microchip is extremely pocket-size, well-nigh the size of a grain of rice. Some pets may feel a little pain when information technology's implanted. Anesthesia is not needed, but y'all can ask your vet to utilize a numbing agent. Your pet tin go dwelling with you and engage in everyday activities immediately afterward the process. Keep in mind that they may experience temporarily sore at the injection site.

What happens if I move or change my number?

Whenever your contact information changes, be sure to update your pet's microchip information. Phone call the microchip registry or sign into your online registry account to update your data. Our vet'southward office can help you with this step.

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

If you think your pet may already have a microchip from a previous pet parent, ask ane of our Petco vets to scan for the microchip. The vet can requite y'all the microchip's ID number and registry information. You'll then demand to contact the registry to change your pet's contact information.

Does my pet need a microchip to travel?

In many cases, a pet volition need to have a microchip to travel to some other country. Before traveling with a pet, review your destination country'southward rules about microchipping, vaccinations and quarantine periods. Even if a microchip is not required for travel, information technology is notwithstanding highly recommended for proper identification and tracking purposes.

Is it possible for a microchip to get lost?

Inside 24 hours of beingness microchipped, your pet'southward tissue will bond to the flake, which usually prevents information technology 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 made by many dissimilar companies and operate on unlike frequencies. In the past, this was sometimes a problem because some scanners could just detect certain microchip frequencies. However, our vet offices and many shelters and creature control offices now use a universal scanner that can selection up every brand of microchip.

Practise I need to practice anything to maintain my pet'due south microchip?

Your pet'due south microchip should terminal throughout their life and not crave any maintenance. The only things you lot demand to do are register the microchip and update your account whenever you move or go a new phone number. That is the very best way to help ensure your dog or true cat is reunited with you if they ever go missing.
You can learn more well-nigh how to treat your pet with Petco's Animal Care Sheets.

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