The Importance of Microchipping Your Pet

The Importance of Microchipping Your Pet

The microchip is a tiny computer chip or transponder about the size of a grain of rice. It stores an identification number and transmits that information through radio waves to the appropriate scanner.

Typically, the microchip number contains 10 characters, making available 275 billion separate codes. This makes it highly unlikely that the same identifying code will be used more than once. Rest assured that your pet will have a unique microchip code.

Microchips are composed of a silicon chip and tiny antenna encased in biocompatible glass. The microchips come pre-loaded in a syringe, and the needle is inserted just under the skin between the shoulder blades where the microchip is implanted. The entire procedure takes less than 10 seconds and is only as painful as a vaccination injection.

After injection, the tissue surrounding the microchip reacts to this new substance and forms a casing. This helps prevent migration of the microchip. Since the microchip is made of biocompatible material, rejection is uncommon and infection at the site is very rare.

Pet microchip scanner might be a new term for a few people but if you are an absolute animal lover, you must have some idea. A microchip scanner helps to scan and identify the ID of the pet. A pet microchip and scanner go hand in hand. A pet microchip is a great tool to keep a record of your pet’s information – relevant information such as unique identification number, vaccination record, pet owner’s details, etc.

What is a Microchip?

A microchip is a small, electronic chip enclosed in a glass cylinder that is about the same size as a grain of rice. The microchip itself does not have a battery—it is activated by a scanner that is passed over the area, and the radiowaves put out by the scanner activate the chip. The chip transmits the identification number to the scanner, which displays the number on the screen. The microchip itself is also called a transponder.

If you’d like to know how to find a lost dog with a microchip, you need to know exactly how microchips work. Microchips are permanent identification tags that are injected under a dog’s skin, right between the shoulder blades. These are tiny pieces of technology, about the size of a grain of rice, which are readable via a scanner. Getting your dog microchipped is as simple as a quick trip to the vet. You have to make sure that the microchip is injected by a veterinarian or someone who has been trained in the procedure. Microchips don’t need a source of power and will last your dog’s lifetime.
How Does a Microchip Work?

A microchip is a radio-frequency identification (RFID) device that can be implanted under your pet’s skin to provide them with a permanent ID. Pet microchips are so small, they can be implanted in just a few seconds with an applicator that doesn’t require anesthetic, and is similar to your pet getting a vaccine.

Pet microchips come preloaded with just a few pieces of information: An ID number, and a phone number for the registry for that microchip’s brand. Many people think a microchip is similar to an ID tag on a collar, and that they can program their contact information into the microchip. This actually isn’t true, but they can provide their contact information to the microchip’s registry, so once someone scans the chip and retrieves the ID number, they can call in for the owner’s contact information.

A microchip is something that lasts your pet’s entire life — it doesn’t ever need to be removed or replaced. If your contact information ever changes, it’s important to contact your pet’s microchip registry to update it, though this process can be time-consuming, and some registration companies actually charge fees to update the contact information associated with a pet’s microchip.

What’s the Difference Between a Microchip and a Pet Tracker?

Microchips and pet trackers are both tools that are meant to help reunite lost pets with their owners.

The biggest difference between a microchip and a pet tracker is that microchips are passive. They can help connect you with your lost pet — if the pet is found by someone who knows to take it somewhere and have the microchip scanned, and if your contact information is up-to-date in your pet’s microchip registry.

On the other hand, a pet tracker is proactive. It allows you to use the location information supplied by the tracker to search for your lost pet, and find them yourself. And some pet trackers, like Huan, use bluetooth signals to alert community members when a lost pet is nearby so they can help aid in the search.

Importance of Pet Microchip Scanner

If your pet is microchipped and you want to access its information for any use such as during international travels, a registered microchipped pet is a compulsion for traveling abroad. A scanner will help you to confirm the registration of your pet.With the ease of traveling – multiple options are available for pet parents to take their fellow companion along and have the trip they always desired. ‘The one with my pet’, taking your pet along with you has several benefits. Your pet won’t be left alone.We emphasize here that getting your pet microchipped is not enough. Once your pet has been microchipped make sure that you, as a parent has completed the registration process by completing the simple steps.Now if your pet is microchipped and registered, you can take them anywhere and have that ultimate traveling experience with your favorite being.

 Common Challenges

Now, this is one of the major concerns, all pet parents go through. If you left your pet with someone other than you, your pet will definitely have issues as apart from the pet parent pets their behavior changes with other humans. Somewhere they do miss their fellow owner and especially if you have a new little pup or kitten.

On the other hand, if you take your pet with you then you also attain some sort of relief as you know there’s no rush to run back home. You might have the most amazing trip with your pet. Now all these things are only possible if your pet is successfully microchipped!

Benefits of Pet Microchip Scanner

Having a microchip scanner for your pet can is of great help. It’s not just a dedicated device for your pet but moreover, it’s a device that can be used to identify and scan any RFID microchips.

Lost and found

If you come across any pet that is lost and confused, NGOs or other helping bodies are a great way to rescue animals. However, if you have a microchip scanner you can first scan the pet and look for a microchip and if found – you’ve done a great job! You can simply take the pet to a near buy veterinarian who will perform the needful actions to connect with the pet’s parent.

Quick Identification of Pets

There might be many possible instances where you’ll find your pet twins. If there are similar-looking labs around it might create some confusion especially if you are at a big event (pet carnival or pet contest).

Having a microchip scanner can work in your favor, as an instant scan can resolve any chaotic confusion.

Easy International Travel

One of the mandatory steps is if you are planning to take your pet on a trip with you. Your pet must be microchipped and registered. If you have a scanner of your own, then you can simply scan and tell the number to the officials to confirm your pet carries a unique identification number at any place.

How to use a Pet Microchip Scanner?

A pet microchip scanner is convenient to use if you have a pet:

• Move the scanner over the pet’s skin above the shoulders.
• It takes a few seconds to detect the microchip, once it does the identification number will be visible on the scanner.
• You take to record the number and use it to record your pet’s medical record or any important information.

Without Scanner Microchip is Useless

Microchipping your pet is an incomplete process until and unless you are unable to identify or detect the unique ID. And this can only be done if you have access to a pet microchip scanner.

Things to keep in mind while buying a Pet Microchip Scanner

You can get a scanner for your pet from any online platform which performs promising tasks and detect any pet microchip around you on a pet.

Compare the scanner on the basis of customer feedback, you don’t want to land up with lesser quality or task-performing device. Always conduct research on your own.

Pet microchip scanner reviews available on different platforms can give you a detailed analysis of the product you are planning to buy.

Pet Microchips – How They Work

The technology of a pet microchip is simple and safe. The implantation process is quick, inexpensive, essentially painless, and virtually stress-free for pets and pet parents.

No bigger than a grain of rice, a pet microchip is a radio-frequency identification transponder made up of just a few components encased within a slender capsule of bioglass, which is used extensively for implants in both humans and animals. Some animal microchips have anti-migration features to ensure capsules stay in place by bonding with the tissue under the animal’s skin.

• A microchip’s sole function is to store a unique ID number that is used to retrieve a pet parent’s contact information—it differs from a Global Positioning System, which is used for tracking, and requires a power source such as a battery.
• When a microchip scanner is passed over the skin of a microchipped pet, the implanted microchip emits an RF (radio frequency) signal. The scanner reads the microchip’s unique ID code. The microchip registry is called, and the registry company uses the ID number to retrieve the pet parent’s contact information from the pet recovery database.
• Most animal shelters and veterinary hospitals in the U.S. have global scanners that read pet microchips from most manufacturers.

MICROCHIPS HAVE DIFFERENT FREQUENCIES.

Microchips are passive devices, which means they have no internal energy source. They stay dormant until they are activated by a scanner. In the U.S., several different microchip frequencies have been used for pet microchips:

• The 125kHz chip – until recently, this was the most common frequency in the U.S., and can be read by most scanners in the U.S.
• The 134kHz chip – was introduced to the U.S. in 2004. This microchip is defined by specifications developed by the International Standards Organization or commonly known as ISO. The microchip ID code format for this chip is defined as a 15-digit numeric code that uses 0-9, where the first three digits represent a country code or a manufacturer’s code. This frequently is considered the “global standard” for pet microchips, as it is used by the rest of the pet microchipping world.
• The 128 kHz chip – introduced in 2007, can be read by many scanners, but not all.

DOES THE FREQUENCY MATTER? YES AND NO.

• Virtually all shelters and veterinary clinics have scanners. It is estimated that by early 2008, there were already over 70,000 “universal scanners” in the U.S.—scanners that read all frequencies of microchips ever sold here, including the new ISO standard.
• Many leaders in animal health recommend the new ISO standard, including American Veterinary Medical Association and the American Animal Hospital Association.
• If you travel outside of the United States with your pet, it is likely that your pet will need a microchip to enter the foreign country. If so, have your pet implanted with an ISO chip, since most countries outside the United States use the ISO standard and their scanners will not read the other frequencies. If your microchipping pet has already been implanted with a different frequency, some countries will allow you to bring your pet as long as you bring a microchip scanner with you that can read the ID number.
• Do not microchip your pet again, as multiple microchips can interfere with accurate readings. You should ask your veterinarian which microchip frequency their clinic recommends.

HOW ARE MICROCHIPS IMPLANTED?

• Pet microchips are implanted by a veterinarian through a quick injection, like a routine vaccination.
• The site of implantation varies by animal.

• • In the U.S, cat, and dog microchipping is typically injected along the dorsal midline, just between the shoulder blades.
  • Horses are injected along the left side of the neck, about an inch below the mane and midway between the poll and the withers.
  • Birds, which lack the bulk of most animals, receive the implant in their breast muscles.
• The animal-care professional should scan for existing microchips prior to implanting a new one—this step takes 10 to 30 seconds.
• No anesthetic is required. The pet’s reaction will be consistent with that of a vaccination injection. The implant procedure is essentially painless.
• Your pet’s skin is desensitized by a simple pinch that pulls the skin upwards until taut.
• The animal-care professional inserts the needle.
• A final pinch ensures the microchip stays in place as the needle is withdrawn.
• Your veterinarian or animal shelter personnel can help you complete the microchip registration forms immediately following implantation.
• You and your pet go home and relax together. Avoid rigorous exercise or activity with your pet for 24 hours, in order to give the anti-migration coating on the microchip a chance to bond to your pet’s skin, so the microchip remains where it was implanted.

WILL IT HURT MY PET WHEN HE GETS THE MICROCHIP IMPLANTED?

It won’t hurt any more than a routine vaccination – having a microchip implanted doesn’t even require anesthetic. The procedure is performed at your veterinarian’s office and is simple and similar to administering a vaccine or a routine shot.

The microchip comes preloaded in a sterile applicator and is injected under the loose skin between the shoulder blades. The process takes only a few seconds, and your pet will not react any more than he would to a vaccination.

WILL A MICROCHIP TELL ME MY PET’S LOCATION?

Pet microchips are not tracking devices and do not work like global positioning devices (GPS). They are radio-frequency identification (RFID) implants that provide permanent ID for your pet. Because they use RFID technology, microchips do not require a power source like a GPS. When a microchip scanner is passed over the pet, the microchip gets enough power from the scanner to transmit the microchip’s ID number. Since there’s no battery and no moving parts, there’s nothing to keep charged, wear out, or replace. The microchip will last your pet’s lifetime.

WHY DOES MY PET NEED A MICROCHIP WHEN HE ALREADY WEARS A COLLAR WITH TAGS?

All pets should wear collar tags imprinted with their name and the phone number of their pet parent, but only a microchip provides permanent ID that cannot fall off, be removed, or become impossible to read.

ISN’T MICROCHIPPING ONLY FOR DOGS?

Both cats and dogs need to be microchipped.Cats often do not wear collars, and may not have any other form of ID. A recent study showed that less than 2% of cats without microchips were returned home. However, if a cat is microchipped, the return-to-owner rate is 20 times higher than if the cat was not microchipped.

CAN ANYONE WITH A SCANNER ACCESS MY CONTACT INFORMATION FROM THE CHIP?

Microchips carry only a unique identification number. If your pet gets lost and is taken to a vet clinic or animal shelter, your pet will be scanned for a microchip to reveal his unique ID number. That number will be called into the pet recovery service, and you will be contacted using the contact information on file with your pet’s microchip. It is vital to keep your contact information up to date so that you can be reached.

Compiled  & Shared by- Team, LITD (Livestock Institute of Training & Development)

Image-Courtesy-Google

Reference-On Request.