Microchipping

As a veterinary clinic, we receive many questions about the importance and function of microchips.

We have many instances in which lost pets are brought to us, and we are tasked with trying to determine if they have an owner, and if so, where “home” might be.

The easiest and quickest way to gather this information is to see if the pet has a tag with identification, including their name, address, and owner phone number. If your pet has this type of identification, then they probably would not have shown up at the clinic in the first place!

Please keep in mind that collars and tags can also become lost, so a secondary method of identification is always suggested.  This is where a microchip is highly recommended since it cannot become lost, and it is always with your pet.

The microchip is about the size of a grain of rice and is inserted (pain-free) under the skin between the shoulder blades.

As a pet owner, you will complete an info sheet with basic information such as your pet’s name and your home address, email, and telephone number. We will add your pet’s information to the identification database under your pet’s specific ID number. The chip is then activated. 

Your pet is now securely identified and is under the protection of the microchip and the information it carries.  If your pet ever wanders from home and becomes lost and eventually becomes found, it can be taken to any veterinary office or shelter and scanned for microchip identification.

Using the scanning device, the microchip is recognized, and the ID number attached to your pet is retrieved. The company attached to the specific microchip is called to retrieve the identification information that you shared when the microchip was first inserted.

It is very important to keep this information up to date, especially if you move and change addresses. This way, if your pet is ever lost, it can be returned home safely to the correct and current specified address associated with the microchip.

You are then called and notified that your beloved pet has been found.

We suggest that you take both preventive means above to keep your pet safe and correctly identified. Be sure to provide your pet with a nice pet ID tag that contains full contact and identification information. A microchip is also recommended, so if a collar or tag becomes lost, your pet is still sure to be returned home safely.

If you wish to learn more or desire to safeguard your pet by microchipping, we invite you to call us at (512) 288-1040. We look forward to hearing from you!