You can take as many precautions as possible but all it takes is for a gate to be left open or a broken leash for you to be separated from your pet. In the event that this happens, you want to have a backup plan in place. This is where microchips come into play. They don’t pinpoint your pet’s exact location, but they are always on your pet’s body. Unlike ID tags a microchip never gets lost or destroyed. This is something that all pet parents should consider.
How do microchips work?
The microchip is a small computer chip that’s about the size of a rice grain. The chip is usually inserted between the shoulder blades.
Each microchip has a barcode that can be read by a special scanner. When the chip is scanned it generates an ID number that is linked to the manufacturer’s database. Once the microchip is implanted in your pet, you will upload your contact information to the database. We encourage you to let us know when your info changes so the chip is always updated. By doing this, when your lost pet is brought to a humane shelter or animal hospital, the microchip can be scanned to contact you. If your pet does not have a microchip, give us a call at 519-971-3100 to schedule a consultation.
Will my pet feel pain when they are microchipped?
The pinch your pet feels is just like that of getting an injection. The needle used to insert the chip is very small and anesthesia is not required to implant it.
Will I need to replace my pet’s microchip?
No. The materials used to make the chip are made to last a lifetime. Once the microchip is properly implanted it will not need replacement. This is one of the greatest benefits of the chip in comparison to ID tags. That being said, we often perform microchip checks during your pet annual exam to make sure everything is in good working order.
