Why You Should Get Your Dog Microchipped

Microchips are small devices implanted under the skin that contain a unique code to identify your dog. In this article, we will explain how dog microchips work and why they’re the right choice for your dog.

Microchipping for Your Dog’s Safety

You never know when a dog might run away or get lost. For example, over the years I’ve seen dogs separated from their owners for reasons that include:

A door was left open by the cable guy and the dog ran out.
A window was left open by a burglar and both the cat and dog escaped.
Halloween trick-or-treaters came to the door and scared the dog off.
A dog and owner got in a car accident, and the scared dog ran off once the doors were opened.

How a Dog Microchip Works

Here is a common scenario that’ll explain how a microchip works:

Your dog escapes the yard and is found a few miles away by an animal control officer, who takes the dog back to a shelter and scans them in the hope of finding a microchip code.

When a code is found and displayed on the scanner, the shelter employee can determine which database to contact for more information. Once the database is contacted, the microchip code is given.

At this point, there are two potential outcomes:

If the owner did not register their name and telephone number with the database, the veterinary clinic where the microchip was purchased will be contacted. Unfortunately, the dog must stay at the shelter until the veterinary clinic can be reached and they can track down the owner.
The owner has registered their name, address, and telephone number with a database. In this situation, the database can supply contact information directly to the shelter employee, resulting in a quick reunion.

Dog Microchip Recommendations

Here are some tips on how to ensure your microchip is set up properly:

Make sure the microchip is registered. Pay the additional fee and have your name and telephone number listed with the microchip code.
Place the microchip identifier on your dog’s collar indicating that they have a microchip.
Confirm the microchip is working during your annual visit to the veterinarian. Have your veterinarian scan your dog to determine if the chip is still transmitting data.
Annually confirm your dog’s information with the microchip database and ensure that all contact information including your address, phone number, and email address are all current.

How Accurate Are Dog Microchips?

Microchips are a popular method to permanently identify dogs. The chips are considered reliable, accurate, and an effective way to identify a lost animal. Collars can be helpful, but dogs can lose their collars. Microchips are permanent.

How Much Does It Cost to Microchip a Dog?

The cost to microchip a dog is usually between $25 and $60, often including the chip itself, implantation of the chip, and addition of the information on the chip to an online database.

How Are Microchips Inserted?

Microchips are embedded under the skin with a hypodermic needle.

What Is the Microchip Database?

Even if your dog has a microchip and it is properly scanned, it is critical that you register the chip to you. Without accurate information in a database, your dog may not find their way home. These microchip databases are usually available 24 hours a day and accessible online.

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