Microchipping helps return lost pets home to their loving family. There are many benefits to from this procedure for your pet such as helping keep them protected in the event they get lost. Our veterinarian at Southside Veterinary Hospital in Vero Beach, FL, offers this service as part of our routine health treatments.
What Is Microchipping?
A microchip is a radio-frequency transponder that acts as an identification tool using a unique numbering system. The microchip is about the size of a grain of rice and is injected using a syringe, similar to vaccination syringes, into the pet’s shoulder blade area. If your pet is found, it will be taken to a vet or shelter, and a scanner will pick up the ID number from the microchip. That number is entered into a database, and your pet’s name, your name, and contact information are displayed. This information helps contact you to go and pick your pet up.
What Are the Benefits?
The most significant benefit of getting your pet a microchip is helping ensure your pet is safely returned home in the event they get separated from you. Other benefits may include your pet not being sent to a humane society or other organization for adoption.
Is a Microchip the Same Thing as GPS Tracking?
The microchip does not transmit a signal strong enough to be used for GPS tracking. Instead, when scanned, it is an information chip that provides a number for a database search.
What Can I Do to Maintain My Pet’s Microchip?
Once a pet is microchipped, there are several things you can do to help maintain your pet’s data. First, ensure the microchip is registered and has all the necessary information. Next, ask our veterinarian to scan your pet’s microchip at least once a year to ensure it is still functioning and detectable. Finally, if there are any phone numbers or addresses changes, update the information with the database the pet is registered on.
Visit Us for More Information
Microchipped pets are may be more likely to be returned home to their owners. It is not expensive, and the side effects are minimal. Take the opportunity to visit your veterinarian and get your pet microchipped. Our veterinary care team at Southside Veterinary Hospital in Vero Beach, FL, provides microchip services and can help answer your questions about the process. Call our at (772) 562-7845 to schedule an appointment with our vet on our team.