Micro-Chipping: Protect Your Pet from Getting Stolen

The microchip is a tiny chip that is injected beneath the skin of the pet. It contains the contact information of the owner. If the contact information is linked to a database the pets can easily be tracked if they are lost. A pet microchip is a permanent form of identification. A tiny chip contains the pet’s address and contact information. It is linked to a database, so that the information can be updated. Microchips for pets provide a valuable way for pets to be tracked and their owners to be found.

How Does the Microchip Work?

Pet or a dog microchip cost is not as important as the security of your breed. A Pet microchip is a very tiny chip that is injected beneath your pet’s skin. This chip stays inside your pet for its entire life. This microchip is linked up to the pet owners contact details and other relevant information. Pet microchip identification is kept on a database so that the information can be continually updated as necessary. If a dog is found or ends up at an animal shelter, then the shelter will scan the microchip to retrieve the microchip number. They will call the people who administer the microchip database and all the information will be retrieved, allowing the owners to be notified and collect their pet.

Microchipping Compared to Other Options

Pet micrcoships is one of the three main ways of identifying a pet. However, it is by far the best and most efficient method of pet identification. ID tags are a cheap, common form of identification. Your pet wears a tag that has your contact information on it. The idea is that if the dog is found then someone will ring up the number on the tag. ID tags are not a particularly good form of identification. Firstly, tags can get ripped off and lost. Secondly, any contact information on the tag will need to be updated every time the details change.

Tattoos are another way to identify your pet. Like microchips, these are a permanent method of identification. A number is tattooed on the pet (usually on the groin). The number is listed with a pet registry who keeps the owner’s contact details on file. This is quite a good method of identification, but some tattoos do become less legible over time.

Dog Microchip cost and getting your Pet Microchipped

You can find out about dog microchip costs and microchip your pet at some veterinary surgeons, council animal shelters and animal welfare shelters. The best thing to do is to ring your local council or veterinary surgeon and ask them where pets can be microchipped in your area.

A cat or dog microchip cost will depend on where you get your pet microchipped. Some animal shelters will include a cat or dog microchip package for any pets that they sell from their shelter. The cost of the microchip is included in the price of the animal. Animal shelters usually offer low-cost microchipping for pets. The price varies, but it is generally between $20 and $30.

Benefits in Microchipping for Pets

There are many benefits in microchipping for pets.

1. Microchips help identify your pet. If your pet is lost and ends up at an animal shelter, they will know whose pet it is.

2. It is a permanent method of identification. The microchip will stay with your pet for life.

3. Identification information can be easily updated. As the information is kept on a database, it is a simple matter to update your details whenever you move or your number changes.

4. There is less chance that someone will steal your pet. As a microchip is a permanent record that that dog belongs to you, there is less likelihood that someone will be able to get away with stealing it.

5. There is less chance that you will lose your pet. When a pet has a microchip, it increases the chances of your pet being returned.

6. You will know if your animal is dying or injured. Unfortunately, some animals do get injured and died. When a vet or the council comes to retrieve or treat the pet, they will check the microchip and inform you of what has happened.

7. It is fairly painless for your pet. The microchip is very small and is injected with a needle. It feels about the same as a vaccination. It cannot be removed. ID tags can be removed and even tattoos can become illegible over time, but a microchip is a permanent method of identification.

8. Pet or dog microchip cost is relatively cheap. Most places offer low-cost microchipping. When you consider that this microchip stays with your dog for life, it is a very inexpensive method of identification.

9. It saves time. If your pet runs away, you will not need to spend as much time looking for them, posting up advertisements and visiting animal shelters.

10. It may save your pet’s life. If a pet ends up at an animal shelter, it will stay there for a certain period of time before it has to be put down. However, if your pet has a microchip, then the contact details will be retrieved and your pet will be returned.

How Long Does the Microchip Last?

A microchip is a permanent method of identification. It stays with your pet for life. As details are updated, your pet will always have the current contact details on hand providing you update them with the registry.

Nobody wants to lose a pet. Pets become part of the family and when they disappear it can be very upsetting. Microchips for pets will not stop your pet running away, and it may not completely remove the possibility that they will disappear, but they definitely increase the chances that you will have your pet returned. Everyone with a dog or cat should at least consider the possibility of a pet microchip. One simple, inexpensive procedure could prevent you losing your pet – and may even save its life.

Bear Valley Animal Hospital offers microchipping through Home Again.