Did you know that as many as 10 million pets are lost or stolen in the United States every year? That’s a pretty terrifying statistic! We know how devastating it can be to realize that your furry best friend is missing. One of the best things you can do to protect your beloved pet is have him or her microchipped. Microchips are quite small—about the size of a grain of rice—but they can make a huge difference. To date, they have facilitated the reunions of thousands, if not millions, of lost pets with their worried owners. In this article from Fairfield Animal Hospital, your Cy-Fair animal clinic, a local vet discusses microchips.

How Microchips Work

Your pet’s microchip will not actually contain your contact information. Each chip contains only a unique ID number. This number, which is essentially your account number, correlates to your records, and can be read with scanners used by veterinarians and animal shelter staff. This is how chips form a permanent link between pets and their owners.

The Process

Getting your furry pal microchipped is a very quick procedure. It’s often scheduled along with spay/neuter surgery, but can also be done at your pet’s next veterinary appointment. Your vet will inject the chip beneath your pet’s skin, using a hypodermic needle. Complications are extremely rare. Your furry pal won’t need any recovery time, aside from perhaps a few ear scritches, a forehead kiss, and maybe an extra nap.

Recordkeeping

Once your pet is chipped, you’ll need to complete your records in the manufacturer’s database. This is very important, but unfortunately is often overlooked. If your data is missing or incorrect, the chip will be useless! Remember to update these records whenever you move or change your contact information.

Checking The Chip

Although chips don’t need regular maintenance, it’s a good idea to have your vet double check it during your furry pal’s appointments, just to make sure it hasn’t moved or malfunctioned. You’ll also want to double-check your information regularly, and make sure it’s correct. You can try using the AAHA Universal Pet Microchip Lookup Tool here. However, if you need to update your contact information, or register a chip, you’ll need to contact the chip manufacturer or service provider. Please contact us, Fairfield Animal Hospital, your Cy-Fair animal clinic, for more information about microchips. We’re here to help!