AVID MicroChip Identification

No matter how careful people are with containing their companion animals, dogs and cats still manage to escape and become lost. Collaring them with up-to-date contact information has long been the only way to retrieve a missing pet, but that's not a foolproof plan when collars come off or tags unhook. AVID MicroChip identification offers permanent ID through technology that provides an owner's name and phone number and a pet's medical needs.

  1. Implanting

    • One procedure is all it takes to protect a pet for life. A veterinary professional inserts the rice-sized AVID chip via syringe between the shoulder blades; oftentimes, the vet does this at the same time the animal is under anesthesia for a spay or neuter procedure. Connective tissue eventually grows over the chip to maintain its position, according to Dr. Jereld E. Rice. Puppies and kittens as young as six weeks can get a microchip.

    Scanning

    • Handheld scanners are waved over the shoulders to detect the chip. Because chips are still detectable if they have migrated to another part of the body, vet clinics and shelters must always do a full body scan. However, all scanners cannot read all microchips, which makes it possible for pets to go unidentified if their chips are incompatible with the reader used. The fact that AVID's technology is more universally recognized lessens the chance of pets being unidentifiable with their ID.

    Registration

    • According to 2010 American Humane Society data, approximately 2 percent of cats and 15 percent of dogs without a microchip or ID tag ever get back home. Agonizing over a missing pet can be avoided altogether by implanting a microchip; however, you must register it with AVID's system in order to be functional. Fees vary depending upon number of animals being registered; adopted shelter pets often come with free registration.

    Collars and Tags

    • The AVID MicroChip is an insurance policy against the loss of your pet's ID tag or entire collar. While some people carry scanners with them, the American Humane Society says most do not and will rely on the tag's contact information. Good Samaritans who find a lost pet can take the pet to a shelter or veterinary clinic in order to get the pet a free scanning.