Millions of dogs and cats, horses, livestock and birds now carry microchips. Wildlife and endangered species, reptiles and even fish are being studied and managed with the aid of this great technology.

Developed by a veterinarian, the microchip is safe, permanent and takes only seconds to administer. The tiny injectable "chip" contains a one-of-a-kind identification number and is recognized worldwide.

A  scanner is used to read the microchip through the skin of a puppy or dog. The puppy/dog feels nothing as the chip's number quickly appears in the scanner's viewing window. With a phone call, the registered chip can be traced back to the purchaser if necessary.

What is the microchip?

The microchip is a tiny computer chip which has an identification number programmed into it. The chip is encased in a smooth, strong biocompatible glass, and is small enough to fit into a hypodermic needle. Once an animal is injected with the chip, he can be identified throughout his life by this one-of-a-kind number. His identification cannot be lost, altered or intentionally removed.

The microchip is generally injected deeply under the skin. It sits safely there, totally inert. A special scanner is used to send a radio signal through the skin of the animal to read the chip. The animal feels nothing as the scanner is passed over him. The microchip sends it’s number back to the scanner. It appears in the viewing window as, for example,  220*609*321.

The microchip has no power supply, battery, or moving parts. It is designed with an operating life of over 25 years and is guaranteed for the life of the animal. Once injected, the microchip is anchored in place as a thin layer of connective tissue forms around it. The chip requires no care. It does not pass through or out of the body.

Are microchips "Universal"?

The microchip used is the most cross compatible microchip system in the United States. This is used by most veterinary offices and county animal services around the world. Our chip can be can be read by Multi Scanners.

Although the microchip needle is larger than a typical vaccine needle, the general rule is this…your animals will react the SAME way to this shot as they do to any other. No better, no worse. Animals do not over react to it. Their physical performance is not impaired and there is no scarring. You are not injecting any substance that can burn or irritate; the chip is completely biocompatible and non-offensive.

No! Injecting the microchip is just like any other injection or vaccination. Anesthesia is not required or recommended.

The microchip is inert, smooth and biocompatible. There is virtually no chance of the body developing an allergy or trying to reject the microchip after being properly injected.

When  implanted, a small layer of connective tissue forms around the microchip, preventing movement or migration of the chip.  

When you purchase microchips, the chip number that you have purchased are kept in the a database and are able to be traced back to you. However, this is not a 24-hour recovery service for lost pets. Nor does it mean that we know nor the microchipping company knows which particular animal has a particular chip. These chips should be registered in a 24 hour disaster and recovery network in order to do their job. To protect the pet, It is essential that the chip numbers be registered in PETtrac. PETtrac is a global 24 hour database used by shelters and anyone finding a lost pet.PETtrac is the largest network of its kind in the world, receiving over 800 calls each day. The animal is enrolled, for a fee, under the new owner's name with complete detailed information about both animal and owner. In this way, if a shelter picks up the animal, the owner will be contacted directly without going through the breeder, registry, veterinarian or pet store.

 

If the animal shelter picks up one of my animals, how do they know to call the microchipping company?

Animal shelters and animal control officers have been educated and informed about microchip identification and how it works.  Shelters use industry wide, cross-compatible scanners that read all chips operating at a certain frequency.  Once a microchip is located in an animal, the appropriate steps are taken.  If the animal is registered with  PetTrac™ Recovery  System, the shelter will be given the owner's name.  If the animal is not registered, they will be given the name of the veterinarian or the breeder who injected the microchip.

Most breeders inject the chip between the ages of five and eight weeks of age. Of course, the injection can also be done at any time after that.

No. When the chip is properly implanted deeply under the skin, no one will be able to locate the chip by touch, even in tiny breeds.

How many brands of chips are there? Can shelters read the AVID® chip?