According to the American Humane Association, around 10 million dogs and cats are lost or stolen each year in the United States. Roughly one in three pets will become lost at some point in their lives. That means the fear of having a pet run away or go missing will become a reality for quite a few pet owners. Hopefully, your pet has a proper ID.
In the past, the primary way to make sure your pet’s ID information was available involved putting those details on a collar–which is still an important part of proper pet identification. But a collar can fall off and make your chances of being reunited with Fido or Fluffy slim to none.
Since June is National Microchipping Month, at Texas Veterinary Dental Center (serving the Houston area), we’d like to discuss the benefits of microchipping your pet and answer a few common questions surrounding the topic.
How do pet microchips work?
A common misunderstanding is that a pet microchip functions as a GPS system. Unfortunately, microchipping a pet and will not allow the owner to track their four-legged friend in the event that they get lost.
So how does a microchip work? A pet microchip is a small, grain-sized radio transponder that stores a unique ID number. When the chip is passed over by a scanner, it becomes activated by radio waves that transmit the ID number onto the scanner’s screen. That number is then used to retrieve a pet owner’s contact information.
How is a microchip implanted?
Pet microchipping is an easy and virtually painless procedure that gives your pet the best chance of returning home safely. The microchip, which is encased in a slender bioglass cover, is implanted just under your pet’s skin using a hypodermic needle, often between the shoulder blades. Although the needle is slightly larger than a regular injection needle, it’s no more painful and does not require anesthesia.
Will the microchip move once it’s implanted? No, most microchips have an anti-migration feature that allows the device to stay in place.
What are microchip frequencies?
As we mentioned above, a microchip is a radio transponder that works on a specific frequency. That means your pet’s microchip will function on one of these three distinct microchip frequencies commonly used for pets:
The 134.2-kHz Microchip. This frequency is currently the only International Standards Organization (ISO) approved pet microchip frequency. Many countries outside of the United States, including Canada, Australia, and countries in Europe and Asia, all accept this frequency for pet microchipping. This frequency is growing in popularity in the U.S., but if you travel internationally with Fido or Fluffy, it’s a good option.
The 125-kHz Microchip. This frequency is still the most commonly used in the U.S. and can be read by most scanners.
The 128 kHz Microchip. This frequency is less common, but can still be read by most scanners.
Who has these scanners? Most animal shelters and veterinary hospitals in the U.S. have universal scanners that can read the majority of microchips on the market. Every year shelters across the U.S. report a high rate of return of microchipped dogs and cats to their pet owners.
How do I register my pet’s microchip?
Until your pet’s microchip is registered, it’s useless. Most microchip companies make the online registration process very easy. Some companies will charge a one-time fee, while others charge annual fees, or fees to update your pet’s information. When you bring your furry friend in to see your veterinarian, they will be able to recommend a microchip brand and registry site. There’s no doubt that microchipping your animal will increase their chances of being found if they become lost. The best part? A pet microchip can be implanted during a routine veterinary office visit.