Do Microchips Increase the Odds of Finding Lost Pets?

The American Humane Society says that pet owners lose almost 10 million pets each year. Even the most careful pet owners can find themselves in a situation where their pet is missing. 

 

Fortunately, there are ways to protect your pet and increase the chances of finding him or her if they go missing.

 

Microchipping Your Pet

The best thing about microchips is that they are permanent and cannot be tampered with. Someone can remove collars or ID tags, or the pet can lose them. However, a microchip will always remain in place. 

 

Microchips are very effective, with microchipped pets finding their way back home more often than those who aren’t chipped. People have returned dogs found hundreds of miles away from their homes thanks to microchips. Microchipping is easy, affordable, and very beneficial for your pet. 

 

How Microchips Work

Microchips are tiny electronic devices inserted under the pet’s skin, and they use technology to register data. The tiny devices rest inside a small glass tube, with an antenna that activates when scanned. 

 

When someone scans the chip, it emits a radio wave that picks up the identification information. The scan reveals an identification number that a vet can match with the microchip registry database. Microchips do not require ongoing maintenance.

 

How Pets Get Microchipped

Your vet in Greenwood Village, CO injects the chip under the skin using a regular hypodermic needle. The procedure is quick, and it is relatively painless. It feels just like getting a regular shot. Vets implant the chip between the animal’s shoulder blades. 

 

Following the correct insertion, your pet should not experience any complications. If you notice any swelling or drainage, it is vital to contact your veterinarian at Greenwood Village Veterinary Clinic. After implantation, the microchip will need to be registered in the manufacturer’s database. 

 

Do Microchips Fail? 

Though microchips are considered very reliable, they are not a 100% guarantee. As mechanical devices, it is possible for them or their reader to fail. In some cases, the chip can move from the original placement position and be difficult to find on the pet's body. Note, however, that this does not usually present a risk to the animal.

Increasing the Odds of Finding Lost Pets

Microchips increase the odds of finding lost pets. Animal shelters and veterinarians often scan lost pets to determine if they have a microchip. Ensuring that your pet has identification will help ensure that they get home safely. 

 

Failing to update your contact details regularly can render the chip useless. It is also vital to use other forms of identification like tags alongside the microchip. 

 

Have the chip checked during the annual pet checkup. Your veterinarian can help ensure that the chip is still working and in place. 


 

For more on microchips and increasing the odds of finding lost pets, contact Greenwood Village Veterinary Clinic at our office in Greenwood Village, CO at (303) 771-6304 today to schedule an appointment.