Microchipping FAQ
There’s nothing more traumatic to the entire family than losing your beloved pet. You contact animal shelters and post fliers everywhere you can think of, but nothing seems to work.
Fortunately, the digital technology of microchipping can greatly boost your odds of being reunited with your pet. At All Care Animal Clinic in West Palm Beach, we highly recommend getting your pets microchipped. The procedure is simple and the payoff could be huge.
Here are answers to some of the leading questions our pet owners ask about microchipping.
What is microchipping?
Microchipping a pet is a procedure in which a microchip about the size of a grain of rice is quickly and painlessly implanted just below the surface of an animal’s skin. This chip, when read by a scanner, reveals an identification number that corresponds with the contact information you provide. This information is held on an online database controlled by the manufacturer of the device. Those who scan of this information can then contact you when your pet has been found.
How is the procedure done?
The very small chip is quickly and easily implanted by your veterinarian, often during the course of a wellness checkup. It’s simply injected just below the skin where it will remain permanently.
Will the procedure hurt my pet?
Your pet will feel almost nothing. The hypodermic injection procedure is done much like any of your pet’s vaccinations. There’s no need for anesthesia, though you might consider having the procedure done if your pet is going to be under sedation anyway for spaying, neutering or other surgical procedures.
What are the odds of getting my microchipped lost pet back?
In 2009, a study was conducted regarding the return rate from animal shelters of pets with and without microchips. It was found that dogs without chips were reunited with owners 21.9 percent of the time. Those dogs that were microchipped got reclaimed 52.2 percent of the time. For cats, the need is even more dire. Those without tags only got returned 1.8 percent of the time. Cats with the chips fared much better, with a 38.5 percent return rate.
Does microchipping replace the need for collar tags?
Nope! Since a microchip scanner is required to read the chip, this is a device that most people besides your veterinarian and some animal shelter workers won’t have. Collar tags, on the other hand, can easily be read by anyone. It’s the combination of the two identification strategies that will result in the best odds of getting your pet back.
What do I need to do once my pet is microchipped?
Not much. Just provide your contact information to the manufacturer’s database. Your All Care Animal Clinic veterinarian will show you how to do this.
You might also check your pet for the next day or two after the implantation to make sure there’s no infection at the site of the injection, though that’s a rare occurrence. More importantly, always remember to update your contact information at the manufacturer’s database as soon as it changes.
Call for an Appointment
Does it sound easy to take advantage of this technology? It is. And it will help keep your pet safe. Just call All Care Animal Clinic at (561) 688-1154. We’re located at 2885-K North Military Trail in West Palm Beach.