Using a hypodermic needle, the microchip is injected under the skin, between the shoulder blades on the pet’s back.

The process is super quick – a microchip can easily be implanted during a routine veterinary visit. It can be painful for some pets, which is why if your pet will be undergoing anesthesia for any reason, we always recommend getting them microchipped while they’re under as well.

No surgery or anesthesia is required. However, if your pet is already under anesthesia for a procedure, such as neutering, spaying or dental cleaning, the microchip can often be implanted while they’re still under.

Presently, microchips for pets only contain identification numbers. They don’t act like GPS devices and cannot track your pet’s location if they get lost. Although they don’t track or store your pet’s medical information, certain microchip registration databases will allow you to store that information in the database for quick reference. 

You just have to register the microchip with a company who maintains one of these databases. See our list below of top pet microchip registries.

YES! Owners of lost dogs and cats with microchips are reunited over 73% of the time, whereas pets without microchips were only returned roughly 22% of the time. For microchipped animals that weren’t returned, inaccurate or out of date microchip registry contact information was one of the primary factors so make sure your information stays updated. 

Identification tags and rabies tags cannot replace a microchip, and vice versa. Microchips are a great permanent solution for tamper-proof identification, but nothing can replace a collar with up-to-date identification information. 

If your pet is lost, checking their collar for owner contact information is the quickest and easiest solution, but if they aren’t wearing a collar at the time or if the contact information is out of date, then the presence of a microchip might be the only way the pet owner’s can be found. 

Your pet should always have a rabies tag on their collar, so people can quickly see that your pet has been vaccinated against the deadly disease. Rabies tag numbers also allow tracing of animals and identification of a lost animal’s owner, but it can be difficult to have this number traced once the veterinary clinic has been closed for the day. The microchip databases are online or can be reached through telephone 24/7/365.

Certain shelters will implant microchips into every animal they adopt out, so check with the shelter and find out if your pet is already microchipped. If so, you’ll want to get that microchip number registered in your name and with your information. If the shelter scanned the animal, they will be able to easily tell you if it is microchipped. 

Most veterinary hospitals have microchip scanners, and your veterinarian can scan your new pet for a microchip when you take them for their checkup as well. Microchips also show up on x-rays, so that can be another way to detect them.

The best reason you should have your pets microchipped is the improved chance of them being reunited with you should they become lost or stolen.

• Every pet has individual needs, that’s why our wellness plans are fully customizable. However, we do offer standard packages depending on the age of your pet. Our puppy plans include everything needed for their first year of life including, spay/neutering, all vaccines, microchipping, heartworm and fecal testing, unlimited exams, and more! We also offer adult canine and feline plans that include. To learn more, please visit our Wellness Plans page.