The Utilization of the Microchip

Microchips are small computerized chips that are inserted into pets for identification purposes. Used mostly with dogs, microchips can be implanted in cats as well. The chips provide the pet owner's contact information in case the animal and its owner are separated.

How Microchips Work

• Microchips are about the size of a grain of rice. Implanting them is like taking your dog to get a shot. It is an outpatient procedure and no anesthetic is required.

  Each chip is assigned a number, which is stored in a database. Most veterinary hospitals and animal shelters have devices that scan for microchips. When a dog or other animal is brought into a shelter, one of the first things workers there will do is scan the pet for a microchip.

Longevity of Microchips

• According to the Humane Society of the United States, microchips are designed to last 25 years.

  The information contained in the microchip registry can be updated if a pet owner moves or gets a new phone number.

Implantation

• Microchips should be implanted by a licensed veterinarian.