At Pine Valley Animal Hospital, we know that your sweet furbaby is so much more than just a pet— They are our furry best friends and irreplaceable members of the family. Now imagine, briefly, that you’ve come home from work to find your mischievous furball has gotten through the backyard fence. Unlike humans, you can’t give your dog or cat a call on their cell to find out where they went. That’s where microchipping comes in.

Microchipping is an invaluable resource for dog and cat owners alike. It’s a safe, effective, and permanent way to find your furry friend when they’ve gone astray. Whether you’re just getting a new puppy or you want to add a layer of protection to the sweet old cat you’ve had for years, our Pine Valley team is here to help make microchipping a breeze! Here’s everything you need to know about how these chips function and why they are essential for your pet.

What is a Microchip?

A microchip is a small, electronic device that’s about the size of a grain of rice. It uses a passive radio frequency and requires no power to work effectively. During the procedure, our Pine Valley Team inserts the chip just under the skin of your pet, between the shoulder blades. Once implanted, the microchip helps locate your furbaby by using a unique identification number. If your missing pet has been taken to a nearby shelter or vet clinic, they can easily check their microchip with a quick wave of an RFID scanner.

How Does a Microchip Work?

Think of a microchip as a permanent name tag. If your furry friend decides to go on a solo adventure, any shelter or veterinary clinic that finds them can scan their microchip and get you reunited in no time! It’s important to note that a microchip does NOT contain any personal information about you or your pet. It only displays a unique identification number. That number then is shared with a pet microchip lookup and recovery service, who search the number in their secure database to locate the owner. This method allows the shelter that found your furbaby to get in touch with you and arrange for their safe return, all while keeping your personal information safe and protected.

Why is Microchipping Important?

In a world where nearly 10 million dogs and cats are lost or stolen in the U.S. every year, microchipping is a truly valuable tool for pet owners. With an identifying chip, your chances of being reunited with your missing furbaby dramatically increase. Collars and tags are effective but not permanent. They can easily fall off or be removed by a person with ill intentions. A microchip, on the other hand, is a permanent fixture that lasts the entirety of your pet’s life.

Aside from its pet-location benefits, a microchip can also serve as proof of ownership. This is particularly crucial if your city or town requires your pet to be licensed and registered. Additionally, some insurance companies offer discounts for pets that are microchipped.

Schedule A Microchip Procedure Today!

Microchipping is a small investment that provides peace of mind and can potentially save your pet’s life. It’s a safe and non-invasive procedure that’s done swiftly and easily by our skilled team at Pine Valley. We utilize the latest technology in microchipping, ensuring the process is simple, minor, and your furbaby is happy and comfortable. Our microchip service can be added to another treatment (such as spay/neutering or dental cleaning), or scheduled separately. For questions and appointment availability, give our team a call!