Why microchip your puppy

Collars can break or fall-off, leaving your beloved pet among the countless, unidentified lost strays at animal shelters. As a veterinarian who has worked at an animal shelter for over ten years and has witnessed this sad scenario replay day after day, I have come to realize that the true tragedy is the fact it can easily be prevented with the use of microchips.

What are microchips? Microchips are implantable computer chips that encode a unique identification number to help reunite you with your lost pet. Unlike collars and ID tags, they can never break or fall-off. They work by receiving a radio signal from a scanner and transmitting the encoded chip identification number back to the scanner. With the chip identification number in hand, the vital contact information is only a phone call away.

Not surprisingly, my experience at the animal shelter has made me a strong proponent of microchips. In addition to their tags and collars, all of my animals are chipped. Some local animal charities and organisations, as well as some local authorities also offer microchipping. Some will offer it for free, however prices will again vary. If your dog isn't microchipped and registered on an approved database then you could be served with a notice ordering you to microchip your dog.

A dog is only exempt from being microchipped if a vet certifies in writing that they cannot be microchipped for health reasons. All dog breeders are responsible for ensuring puppies are microchipped before selling them. Puppies cannot be sold until they are eight-weeks-old and must be microchipped at the point of sale.

If you're buying a puppy make sure it's microchipped before taking them home. Take a look at our other advice on buying a healthy happy puppy. Breeders must also register their details on the database to be recorded against the microchip for the life of the dog. A person is considered to be a 'breeder' if they are the owner of a dog which gives birth, whether or not they carry on a business as a breeder of dogs.

Instead, a microchip provides your pet with permanent identification should he become separated from you. Microchips help to return thousands of pets home. To learn more about microchipping or to schedule an appointment, please contact our Petsadena Animal Hospital office.

Common reasons pets get lost Many pets become lost because they escape from the yard or run outside when a door opens. What is a microchip?

Register and Update It is important to note that a microchip will only be effective if it is registered and contains up-to-date contact information. Can a microchip help to track my pet if they become lost? Phone Required. Email Required. This field is for validation purposes and should be left unchanged.

Call Us Email Us. Open toolbar.