It’s a traumatizing experience to lose your pet and not know if you’ll ever find them again. It can easily happen even if you try to be as careful as possible. Collars and ID tags help prevent this, but they’re not guaranteed. The best thing to help you avoid this tragedy is getting your pet microchipped.

What Is a Microchip?

It is a tiny capsule with a radio-frequency identification transponder. The vet injects it on the back of a pet’s neck under the loose skin. It’s small – just the size of a rice grain – and sits inside the pet to carry their identification information.
 

• Easily Find Lost Pet

Microchips aren’t GPS. You can’t use them to track your pet. However, the contact information that the microchip contains can help shelters and vets identify a pet’s owner. If your pet ever gets lost, there’s a way to reach you. There’s a 20% chance of dogs and cats being reunited with their owners if they are microchipped.
 

• Determine if a Pet Is Stolen or Not

The same as when you lose your pet, it will be easier to find your pet if they’re stolen. It’s hard to believe, but some people steal pets. It’s heartbreaking to find yourself in such a situation, but microchips can help you. With a microchip, a vet can easily see if a pet is stolen and return them to their owner.
 

• Provide Pet Info Better than Collar ID Tags

Microchips are so much better than collar ID tags. All the information – phone number, email, address, etc. — is on a national database. With this, you will still be able to find your pet even if they end up cross-country. It also has smart features like car or dog doors based only on one pet’s microchip.
 

• Permanent Identification for Pets

Microchips are permanent, unlike collar ID tags, which can break or get lost. You or anyone who finds your pet can’t remove it without the help of a professional veterinarian. Therefore, you will surely be able to find your dog or cat again if a rescue, shelter, or vet ever finds your pet.
 

• No Personal Information Stored

Many pet parents are wary about getting their pups and cats microchipped, fearing that their personal information will be leaked. You don’t have to worry about this because a microchip only contains a unique 9, 10, or 15 digital number. It’s like a social security number for pets registered in a registry that no one can ordinarily access.
 

• Quick and Simple Procedure

Another fear you may have as a pet owner is that the procedure may be complicated for your pet. It’s not at all – it only takes a few minutes. It doesn’t even need anesthesia or sedation and can be done during a regular visit to the veterinarian.
 

• Inexpensive Pet Identification

Last but not least, it is relatively inexpensive. The average cost is 50$, with possible additional fees for registration depending on the service. Nevertheless, getting your pet microchipped won’t be heavy on your pocket, at least compared to a GPS tracking collar. It’s an affordable pet identification that offers pet parents much-needed peace of mind.

For more on pet microchipping, visit Port Royal Veterinary Hospital in Port Royal, South Carolina. Call 843-379-7387 to schedule and appointment today.