A guide to pet microchips

Micro-chipping offers a means of locating a lost or stolen animal. A microchip implant is a form of pet ID that can be effective, whether you have a pet cat or a pet dog. It is a type of pet-tracking that involves an identifying integrated circuit being placed under the skin of an animal. It can be used for birds, cats, dogs, horses and other types of animals.

Recovery of lost pets

It can be very distressing to lose your beloved pet. Microchip technology is aimed at making it a simpler process to reunite animals with their owners. If your cat disappears and you cannot find it, then knowing that it has a microchip implant means that you can report it to the database service right away. The chance that it will be found is much greater than if it had no chip at all. This modern form of dog or cat ID is roughly about the size of a large grain of rice. The technology is based upon RFID (Radio Frequency Technology). If you have a pet that often goes outside, putting a microchip tracer on him is a smart move to make.

How it works

The microchip is passive in nature and does not contain a battery or any other source of power. The chip itself is covered with a bio-compatible glass that has a chemical coating on it. The coating is designed so as not to irritate the soft tissue of the animal and in fact, bonds with the tissue. In time, thin layers of connective tissue will grow around it. A veterinarian will carefully implant the microchip between the shoulder blades of the pet in question. Sometimes, it is inserted at the back of the neck or the dorsal mid-line. The microchip is often close enough to the surface so that the owner can feel it under the skin.

Other things worth knowing

Every microchip or flap is unique. The signal that comes from each chip is made up of a binary code that contains a 15-digit number. The first three digits are the number of the manufacturer. After the chip has been implanted, it must be registered with the database service of the company that makes the microchips. If you have an avid love for your pet and want to keep it safely with you, then the micro-chipping procedure is a very smart thing to do. If your pet is found, the chip will be scanned by a vet or the rescue centre and from there, its owner (you) can be found.