A microchip is a tiny permanent ID, about the size of a grain of rice, placed under your pet’s skin so a shelter or clinic can find your contact details and reunite you if your pet is lost. It only works if the chip is registered and kept up to date. Pair it with an ID tag and secure habits for the best protection.
What a microchip is and how it works
A microchip is a small electronic ID, roughly the size of a grain of rice, that a veterinarian places just under the skin between the shoulder blades. Each chip carries a unique number. When a lost pet is scanned at a clinic or shelter, that number links to your contact details in a registry, so you can be found.
The placement itself is quick and similar to a routine injection, and it can often be done during a regular visit or at the time of another procedure. Our wellness programs team can microchip your pet and make sure the chip is working and properly recorded.
Why registration is the part that matters most
A microchip on its own does nothing unless the number is registered to you with current contact information. This is the single most important and most commonly missed step. A chip that was never registered, or that still lists a previous owner or an old phone number, cannot bring your pet home.
Make sure your chip is registered as soon as it is placed, and update the details whenever you move or change your phone number. It is worth checking your registration every so often so you know the information is right before you ever need it.
Microchips and ID tags work best together
A microchip is permanent and cannot fall off, which makes it reliable, but it needs a scanner to read. A collar with an ID tag, on the other hand, lets anyone who finds your pet contact you straight away, without needing to visit a clinic. The two forms of identification complement each other.
For the best protection, use both. Keep a well fitted collar with a legible, up to date tag on your pet, and back it up with a registered microchip in case the collar comes off. Together they cover far more situations than either alone.
Preventing your pet from getting lost
Identification helps a lost pet get home, but prevention keeps them from getting lost in the first place. Check that fences, gates, and latches are secure, and be especially careful with doors when visitors come and go. Many pets slip out during the commotion of an open door.
Loud events such as summer fireworks and thunderstorms are a common trigger for pets to bolt, so keep them safely indoors during noisy times. Keeping dogs leashed in unfenced areas and making sure indoor cats cannot dart outside also go a long way toward keeping your pet safe.
What to do if your pet does go missing
If your pet goes missing, act quickly. Search your immediate area, then contact local shelters, nearby veterinary clinics, and your microchip registry to report your pet lost. Sharing a recent, clear photo on community and lost pet networks can reach a lot of people fast.
This is exactly when a registered microchip proves its worth, because anyone who brings your pet to a clinic or shelter can have them scanned and matched to you. Having your paperwork and registration details handy makes the whole process faster and less stressful.
Making identification part of routine care
Microchipping fits naturally into everyday pet care. If your pet is not yet chipped, it is easy to arrange, and if they are, a quick scan at a visit confirms the chip still reads correctly. It is also a good moment to check that your registration is current.
Whether you have a new puppy or kitten or a long time companion, permanent identification is one of the simplest ways to protect them. Our medical services team is happy to microchip your pet or check an existing chip, sometimes alongside diagnostics or other routine care.
Frequently asked questions
Does microchipping hurt my pet?
It is quick and similar to a routine injection. Most pets tolerate it well, and it can often be done during a regular visit or at the same time as another procedure.
My pet is already microchipped. Is there anything to do?
Yes. Confirm the chip is registered to you with current contact details, and update it whenever you move or change your number. An unregistered or outdated chip cannot bring your pet home.
If my pet has a microchip, do they still need a collar and tag?
Yes. A tag lets anyone who finds your pet contact you right away, while the chip is a permanent backup that a scanner can read. Using both gives the best protection.
Can a microchip track my pet’s location?
No. A microchip is not a GPS tracker. It stores an ID number that links to your contact details when the chip is scanned, which is how a found pet is reunited with its owner.
What should I do the moment my pet goes missing?
Search nearby, then contact local shelters, veterinary clinics, and your microchip registry to report your pet lost, and share a recent photo online. Fast action improves the odds of a quick reunion.