Microchipping is a procedure that adds another layer of identification for your pet, to ensure that they are safely returned home to you in the
event that they are lost. In this procedure, a microchip that is approximately the size of a grain of rice, is inserted underneath your pet’s skin, typically
between their shoulder blades.
It is most commonly done on younger pets when they receive their vaccinations, as the microchip is inserted with a needle and feels
identical to the vaccines being given. However, pets of any age are eligible to be microchipped, to make sure that they can always be reunited with their family.
Although a variety of animal species can be microchipped (such as reptiles, horses, ferrets, rodents, etc.) our clinic only provides this service for cats and dogs.
In the event that your pet is lost and somebody finds it, a microchip will allow a veterinarian, shelter worker, or animal control officer to scan it and see your: unique ID code, contact information, your pet’s name, your primary veterinarian, and the shelter your pet was adopted from (if applicable.) All personnel with the authority to scan for microchips are trained to do so first when dealing with lost pets, to avoid pets with owners accidentally being surrendered to shelters. Although the microchip can migrate slightly from the point of insertion, animal care professionals are trained to scan the pet’s entire body for the presence of a microchip.