Preventative Care@3x

Here’s a Tip: Get the Chip

May 25, 2017 | Arizona Pet Health, For Your Pet, New Pet, Pet Safety

Sometime, pets get out. Sometimes, they GET OUT and GET LOST. One tip: get the chip.

May is the national awareness month for chipping your pets. Dogs and cats can be chipped, so their people can be properly identified and contacted. While the technology has been out for quite some time, some pet owners still have questions. The Humane Society has done a great job of answering those questions…let’s take a look:

What are microchips? Microchips are tiny transponders, about the size of a grain of rice, that use radio frequency waves to transmit information about your pet. They’re implanted just under the skin, usually right between the shoulder blades.

How do microchips work? Each microchip contains a registration number and the phone number of the registry for the particular brand of chip. A handheld scanner reads the radio frequency of the chip and displays this information. The animal shelter or vet clinic that finds your pet can contact the registry to get your name and phone number.

How long do microchips last? Microchips are designed to work for 25 years.

Where can I get my pet microchipped? We’re so glad you asked! You can chip your pet any of our AZPetVet locations!

What if I move? You need to contact the company that registers the chip to update your information; otherwise, the chip will be useless. You may be charged a small fee to process the update.

What do I do if I adopt a pet who’s already been microchipped? If you know what brand of chip your pet has, contact the corresponding registry to update the information. If you don’t know what type of chip your pet has, find a vet or animal shelter that can read it.

Disclaimer: Not intended to be a substitute for professional veterinarian advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your veterinarian with any questions you may have regarding the medical condition of your pet. If you think your pet has a medical emergency, call or visit your veterinarian or your local veterinary emergency hospital immediately.