Microchipping
A pet microchip consists of a tiny tube (about the size of a grain of rice) that is inserted under the skin. For consistency, it is almost always placed on the left side near shoulder height. The process is a very quick, cheap, and painless.
The chip is implanted with an injection, and requires no anesthesia. Since the microchip is sealed in a sterile capsule, there is very little chance for infection or rejection. And finally, since the chip requires no power it never needs replacing.
It carries a number in it that will identify the owner by name and address. All veterinarian offices and animal shelters are supposed to have a reading device for the microchip so animals can be easily identified.
According to the American Humane Association, only about 17% of lost dogs and 2% of lost cats ever find their way back from shelters to their original owners. Almost 20 million pets are euthanized every year because their owners can’t be found. Contact the staff at All Creatures Veterinary Clinic for more information on the types of microchips used by our doctors.