Why Microchip Your Pet?
What is a microchip?
A microchip is a small device (the size of a grain of rice) that a veterinary professional inserts under a pet’s skin, usually in the back of their neck. It contains contact information similar to what you engrave on your pet’s tag. As tags often fall off and pets accidentally get out of the house without wearing a collar, a microchip helps locate you when your pet is found.
A common misconception is that it operates like a GPS tracker, which will track the path your missing pet takes every step of the way. While this is not the case, it is a crucial tool for lost pet reunification.
How does it work?
A microchip contains the pet owner’s contact information electronically. Though a linked website, you can keep your information up-to-date. All animal shelters, most veterinarians, and many police departments have special scanners. When an unidentified pet comes into the facility, a quick scan will reveal if there is a chip. If a chip is found, the contact information will pop up. Thus, the pet’s owners are just a phone call away and the pet and their people reunite quickly.
I adopted my pet. Do they have a microchip?
All dogs and cats adopted from AWS receive a microchip prior to adoption. At adoption, AWS counselors instruct the adopters on how to enter the proper contact information on the microchip company’s website. Adopters should keep track of the website and update it as needed if phone numbers change, or if you move. Many other shelters and rescue organizations (though not all) include microchipping as part of the adoption. Be sure to ask when you’re adopting your pet.
Where can I get one for my pet?
Microchip insertion takes place at a veterinarian’s office. It’s a painless procedure that takes only a few minutes. Pets do not need to go under anesthesia to receive a microchip, though it is common to have one inserted while they are under anesthesia during a surgical procedure. AWS’ Community Veterinary Clinic offers microchip insertion can during wellness appointments or procedure (including spay/neuter surgeries). Many veterinarians may also offer stand-alone appointments for insertion.
If fact, AWS’ Community Veterinary Clinic is offering a FREE Microchip and Rabies Vaccine Clinic on Saturday, November 2 from 9 am – Noon, right here at AWS. If you’d like to get your dog or cat vaccinated and/or microchipped, we welcome you to attend. An appointment is not required; drop ins are welcome. However, to help us plan and to reduce wait times, please RSVP to select your preferred arrival time frame (9 am – 10 am, 10 am – 11 am, 11 am – Noon). RSVP registration opens on Friday, Oct. 4 and closes Friday, November 1 at noon.
