Losing a dog can be emotionally devastating. A microchip increases the chances that you and your dog will be reunited. Microchipping is a quick, safe and inexpensive procedure offered by vet clinics, shelters and animal welfare organizations.
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What Is a Microchip?
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A microchip is a mini computer chip the size of a grain of rice. The tiny chip is inserted just underneath the skin, usually between the shoulder blades. Discomfort is comparable to a routine vaccination. The chip contains a unique number that is stored in a database and is readable by a scanner or wand. Microchips are becoming a popular way to identify lost pets and increase their chances of reunification with their owners.
Who Needs a Microchip?
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Veterinarians, animal control officers and animal welfare organizations recommend microchips for all dogs. You want to be prepared in case your dog ever wanders off or is lost. According to the National Pet Register, one out of every three pets is lost at some point in his lifetime and 90 percent of those with identification return home, while 90 percent of those without identification do not. According to Ohio State University, dogs who have microchips are over twice as likely to return home as their non-chipped counterparts.
Where to Get a Microchip
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Most veterinarians, veterinary clinics, animal welfare organizations and animal shelters perform routine microchipping. Pet stores and other animal-related businesses sometimes host low-cost microchipping clinics.
Microchip Cost
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Getting a microchip is not expensive and some animal welfare organizations offer them at discounted rates. On average, a microchip will cost between $30 and $50 for the implant and up to $20 to register your contact information. Registering your contact information -- and re-registering every time you move -- is an important step to ensure you will be reunited with your dog faster. There may be a nominal fee to update information with the microchip manufacturer.
Microchip Controversy
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When microchips were first introduced, each manufacturer used its own database and scanners. Many dogs that were implanted with microchips could not be identified because scanners used by shelters were not compatible with the implanted chips. Many shelters, vets and animal welfare organizations now use scanners that are able to read multiple brands of microchips and there is now a national database for U.S. microchips run by the Found Animals Microchip Registry non-profit organization.
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