Check The Chip Day is today, August 15th. Microchipping your pet is a very simple procedure, and is something you can either schedule with spay/neuter surgery or have done at your pet’s regular appointments. These tiny devices are quite simple, yet they have facilitated the reunions of thousands—if not millions—of wayward pets with their worried humans. A Champaign, IL vet discusses microchips in this article.
Microchip
Microchips aren’t a very old technology. The patent for microchip technology was filed in 1985, and the first chips were implanted in 1989. These tiny devices use radio frequency identification (RFID) technology to transmit information over radio waves. Microchips form an invisible, legally-binding link between people and their furry pals. If your pet is ever lost, a microchip could make all the difference in the world!
Procedures
The microchipping process is quite simple, and only takes a minute. Your vet will use a hypodermic needle to place the chip beneath your pet’s skin. With dogs and cats, it is typically placed between the shoulderblades. That’s it! There are no drugs or surgery required, nor will your fuzzy pal need recovery time.
Checking The Chip
Microchips don’t need any sort of maintenance or upgrades. So why check the chip? You just want to make sure that it hasn’t slipped out of place, as then it could be missed if someone was to check for it. It’s also just a good idea to verify that it’s still working. Have your vet scan it at your four-legged buddy’s regular appointments.
Database
The other part of checking the chip would entail not the chip itself, but your records in the manufacturer’s database. The chip doesn’t actually contain any of your personal information. Each chip holds only one piece of data: a unique identification number, which is associated with your account in the chipmaker’s database. If your contact information is missing, incomplete, or out of date, the chip itself will be useless. This is something you don’t want to wait until your furry best friend is missing to address!
Tips
Not sure how to check your pet’s chip? Try the AAHA Universal Pet Microchip Lookup Tool here. This contains the information for most of the major chipmakers. Remember to update this information if you move or change phone numbers!
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