Should You Get a Microchip for Your Pet?

Each year, thousands of pets find their way into animal shelters because they get lost from home. If you are worrying about this happening ot your pet, you may want to think about getting a microchip for him or her. This method, which is becoming more and more common among pet owners, is a method which has been known to bring many pets safely back to their homes when it is used effectively. Learn more about pet microchips here, as well as why you may want to think about getting one for your own pet.

What is a Microchip?

Chances are that you may have heard about microchips, which are becoming increasingly popular among pet owners. Microchips are tiny computer chips, which are relevant in size to about a grain of rice. The chips contain identification numbers. The chip is made up of silicon, and it also has an antenna. The antenna sends the identification number on the microchip to scanners through radioactive waves.

How Do Microchips Work?

Microchips are inserted underneath your animal's skin between his or her shoulder blades with the use of a needle. Every pet has its own microchip code. When your pet escapes from the yard and is found by an animal shelter, the microchip can be scanned to find a code. You can either have the code number registered to the veterinary clinic's phone number or to your own phone number, which will make things easier. If it is registered to you, the shelter can contact you directly about your pet. While this does require an extra fee, it is well worth it if you want to get your pet back immediately.

Is It Effective?

The entire microchip process has shown to be very effective, bring thousands of pets back to their owners. However, if your pet's microchip is not transmitting data, it will not be effective. This is why it is important to make sure that you visit the veterinarian at least once a year to specifically make sure that your pet's microchip is working. If you want to get the best results from your pet's microchip, it is best to make sure that you register him or her to your own phone number.

What Other Options Do You Have?

Do you think that the entire concept of inserting a microchip into your pet's body sounds crazy? If so, it is important to keep in mind that there is another option which also may be effective. This is simply having a dog tag made up with your phone number. It will help shelters, as well as any neighbors who may find your pet, be able to directly contact you without needing to scan for a microchip.