A microchip is a small, electronic chip enclosed in a glass cylinder that is about the same size as a grain of rice. The microchip itself does not have a battery–it is activated by scanner that is passed over the area, and the radio waves put out by the scanner activates the chip. The chip transmits the identification number to the scanner which displays the number on the screen. The microchip itself is also called a transponder. It is NOT a GPS device and cannot track your animal if it gets lost. Your information is only used by the company to contact you. Step 1 is the placement of the microchip. Step 2 is register the chip online with your current information. Step 3 is update address and phone number on a regular basis (taken from AVMA website).

Microchipping is a reliable, permanent, one-time service that helps give you peace of mind for your pet’s lifetime.  This peace is nearly useless if the microchipped pet is not registered in a database such as PetLink in the case of an emergency. With accurate registration associated with the unique microchip number, a lost animal can be traced back to its owner as soon as it’s scanned. (taken from petlink.net website)

1 in 3 pets will go missing in their lifetime.

90% will never return home.

A chipped cat is 20 times more likely to get back to its owner.

Most pets brought to shelters are never reunited with their family without a microchip.

Hamilton County Humane Society will chip your dog if they are lost and brought there.

A dog with a microchip is twice as likely to find its owner.

Microchips are a sure way to prove ownership of a pet.  Occasionally, you may have to prove ownership of your pet.

Microchip Scanners are universal, meaning any scanner used at a veterinarian’s office or Human Society will read other brands of microchips.

Dogs with microchips were returned to owners 52.2% of the time.

Dogs without microchips were returned 21.9% of the time.

Cats with microchips were returned 38.5% of the time whereas those without microchips were returned only 1.8% of the time (JAVMA July 15, 2009).

This information is almost 10 years old now. Those statistics are much higher now!