The Importance of Microchipping Your Pet

We love our pets. Of course. We tend to their needs and get in as much loving snuggles, exercise time, and fun as possible. We make sure our pets go in for their veterinarian check-ups, and, if they need medical attention, we make sure they get it. And if they require medications, we set timers to be sure their meds are dispensed on time each day. They are vaccinated and neutered, placed on heartworm as well as some type of flea and tick preventatives all to help keep them healthy. And the other best thing we can do for our pets is to have them microchipped.

Why microchip? Because while we hope our pets never escape, get lost, or even stolen, it can happen, even to the most attentive pet caregiver. Having your pet microchipped increases their chances of being reunited with their families.

States the American Kennel Club (AKC), “According to statistics, one in three pets become lost at some point in their lives, and yours could very well be one of them. That’s more than enough reason to microchip your dog.”

In an article in Trends, a publication of the American Animal Hospital Association (AAHA), “More than 10 million pets are lost each year. Even more worrisome: Pet service providers lose their fair share.”

Think about that mind-boggling number—10 MILLION pets lost!

For me, there was never a second thought about microchipping our pets. Every dog I’ve ever had since I was married decades ago has been microchipped as soon as possible, with my last six dogs having it done when they were under for neutering or spaying. I’ve also had our adopted feral cat microchipped (in addition to having ID and rabies tags) to let anyone who may have caught him, know that he was not a stray, and that he had a family who loved him. Yet, I hear heartbreaking stories of missing pets who were not microchipped. The key thing is to always prepare for what might happen, and have your pet microchipped as soon as s/he joins your family. 

 

What Is A Microchip?

According to the AKC, “A microchip is a radio-frequency identification transponder that carries a unique identification number. It’s roughly the size of a grain of rice. When the microchip is scanned by a vet or shelter, it transmits the ID number. There’s no battery, no power required, and no moving parts. The microchip is injected under the loose skin between your dog’s shoulder blades and can be done in your vet’s office. It’s no more invasive than a vaccination.”

What If Your Adopted Pet Has A Microchip? 

If you adopt a pet that is already microchipped, be sure to have the information updated to reflect your contact information. To do that, you would call the registry office and request it. You will need proof of ownership. According to 24PetWatch, the types of proof may include, "Valid adoption agreement for the pet in the new registrant’s name; or a bill of sale from the previous registrant to the new registrant that includes the microchip number of the pet; or a letter from a licensed veterinarian, on their letterhead, indicating the microchip number and new registrant of the pet; or city/county pet license in conjunction with vaccination records including the microchip number of the pet. *Please note, veterinarian bills may not be accepted as proof of registration.*

When we adopted our first dog from our local SPCA in 1981, microchips were not yet a thing. We would always have an ID tag attached to my dog’s collar along with its rabies and license tags. When microchipping became available in our area about a decade later, we had every dog (six of them—a German Shepherd/Akita mix and my five Siberian Huskies), plus a stray cat, all microchipped. Each pet had a collar with the microchip tag, along with an ID tag, rabies vaccine tag, and license tag attached. 

 

What If You Find A Dog or Cat? 

According to the Animal Humane Society (AHS), "Approximately 50% of pet parents report having found a lost animal. If you find a stray animal, first check for identification. If there’s no ID tag, take them to a veterinary office or pet retailer...to be scanned for a microchip." There are also more and more police departments having microchip scanners, as well as some shelters/rescues may now have a self-microchipping stations. Call to check what is available in your area.

 

 

Did You Know...?

“In an AVMA report that in a study of more than 7,700 stray animals at animal shelters showed that dogs without microchips were returned to their owners 21.9% of the time, whereas microchipped dogs were returned to their owners 52.2% of the time. Cats without microchips were reunited with their owners only 1.8% of the time, whereas microchipped cats went back home 38.5% of the time.” ~American Animal Hospital Association (AAHA)

 

Host A Community Microchipping Clinic 

According to AKC Reunite, communities can get together and host a microchipping clinic, which can be "a fun fund-raising event attracting local animal lovers to your organization while helping protect the pets in your community! Drive-Thru clinics keep everything organized and ensure pets are safe and contained." Prior to hosting one, you would need to speak your local county officials for approval and to see if there are any laws or stipulations, as well as a proper location to hold one. If you are interested in hosting a Community Microchipping Clinic, contact AKC Reunite at 800-252-7894, or via Email to microchip@akcreunite.org to get started!

 

 

Where Does A Microchip Go?

Our pets' microchips were implanted below their necks in between the shoulder blades by our veterinarian when they went in for spaying and neutering as puppies and kitten. But you can have your pet microchipped at any time. States the American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA), "It is injected under the skin using a hypodermic needle. It is no more painful than a typical injection, although the needle is slightly larger than those used for injection. No surgery or anesthesia is required—a microchip can be implanted during a routine veterinary office visit. If your pet is already undergoing anesthesia for a procedure, such as neutering or spaying, the microchip often can be implanted while they're still under anesthesia."

In this AKC video, Dr. Andrea Y. Tu, now the Chief of Veterinary Behavior Medicine, DVM – USDA at the Heart of Chelsea Veterinary Group in New York, and an accredited candidate of the American College of Veterinary Behaviorists/Behavior Veterinarian, discusses the microchip and shows how it is virtually painless to insert into a dog’s skin.

 

Are Microchips Permanent?

Yes, they are. Says the AKC, “Microchips, because they’re inserted into a dog’s skin, are permanent. While they can’t guide you to your dog’s location, they provide a way for you to be contacted by almost any veterinarian or shelter if your pet is brought in.”

 

Microchips MUST Be Registered To Do Their Job!

Microchips can help identify a dog or cat, but it has to be registered with a recovery service, also known as a microchip registry service such as AKC Reunite, Home Again, Homeward Bound Pet, and a plethora of other participating microchipping and pet recovery services you can check out on the AAHA website at: https://www.aaha.org/participating-companies/

 

AAHA Microchip Registry

Also available on the AAHA website is a Microchip Registry Lookup Tool (https://www.aaha.org/for-veterinary-professionals/microchip-search/) where a found pet’s microchip number can be inputted and, according to the AAHA, “This registry lookup tool does not disclose pet owner information or allow pet owners to update their pets’ microchips. It is a lookup tool to help identify the registry where a pet’s microchip is registered.”

This site will also list any chip registries that may have closed their doors. If a chip registry shutters (such as the reported Save A Life), contact your veterinarian to see who/where you can register your dog’s chip with.

 

Did You Know...?

“It can take up to TWO MINUTES to detect a pet’s microchip!” ~AKC Reunite

 

 

Microchips Are NOT Tracking Devices

While microchips are invaluable, they are not a tracking device. You would need the microchip (inserted by your veterinarian) and a separate GPS dog tracking collar.

 

How Do Microchips Work?

According to the AKC, “A microchip contains a small antenna that can only be read by a microchip scanner commonly used by veterinarians, shelters, and animal control. When the scanner passes over the microchip, it reads the microchip ID number. It is not exactly the same, but similar to scanning a barcoded item at the grocery store.” And don’t rush that scan! Sometimes a chip can migrate a bit away from where it was initially inserted. According to AKC Reunite, “It can take up to two minutes to detect a pet’s microchip.” Here is a really informative video from First Street Pets:

Keep Microchip Information Updated

Sounds like common sense, right? But as life happens, folks get busy and if they are in the midst of moving or have changed/updated phone numbers, it is imperative to keep your contact information updated with BOTH the microchip company and your veterinarian’s office. And in some cases, the rescue where an adopted animal came from, can also be listed. Be sure that they, too, have your current info. If you change veterinarian offices, it is important to notify the microchip company of your new vet’s contact information. And don’t forget to let your new vet know your pet’s microchip info and that your address and phone number(s) match! 

 

Did You Know...?

“Every private vet or animal welfare organization has microchip scanning capability. Lost or displaced pets are likely to be taken to their closest vet or animal welfare.” ~Cape of Good Hope SPCA, South Africa 

 

Always Check The Chip!

As actor James Denton mentions in the video below, have your dog’s microchip checked at their health visits to be sure all is working correctly so if your dog was to get loose and lost, their chip is up to date.

 

Beware of Lost Pet Scams!

According to the Animal Humane Society, “Beware of lost pet scams. Local animal control agencies and Animal Humane Society will never ask for money over the phone. If you receive a call from someone claiming to be an animal control officer or affiliated with a local shelter and they ask you for money, hang up the phone and contact that organization directly to verify the information.” 

 

Did You Know...?

“A microchipped pet is less attractive to thieves, as the permanent identification form makes it easier to trace the pet back to their rightful owner, reducing the incentive for theft. If your pet is stolen, a microchip can be a crucial tool for recovery. Stolen pets are often sold or relocated far from their homes, increasing the challenge of being able to track them down. A microchip provides indisputable proof of ownership, helping law enforcement and rescue organizations return your stolen pet to you.” ~American Animal Hospital Association (AAHA) 

 

 

Do Microchips Work?

Yes! Yes! A resounding Yes! "Definitely!" states the AVMA. "In fact, a study of more than 7,700 stray animals at animal shelters in 23 states showed that microchipped animals are far more likely to be returned to their owners. In that study, microchipped stray dogs were returned to their owners at more than double the overall rate for all stray dogs. For stray cats, the difference in return rates was even more dramatic." But as stated earlier, always have the chipped checked at your vet visits to be sure it is working correctly.

 

There are many “Happy Ending” stories out there where thanks to a microchip, a dog or cat was reunited with its family...sometimes even years later. Siberian Huskies are known for their “Houdini” escapism, and often find themselves running off to the sunset before suddenly realizing they are lost. But they are not the only breed who go missing. Many dogs are spooked, or accidentally get out of their home/yard, or even stolen. Below are a few stories of dogs being found, having their microchip scanned, and reunited with their joyful families! (You may need to have to some tissues handy!)

 

So Thankful For the Microchip

Cameo's Huskies, Past & Present

Cameo Anderson, an artist/illustrator and multi-dog mom, knows Siberian Huskies well, and she can personally attest to the importance of microchipping pets, especially with this well-known “Houdini” dog breed who have professional escape artist in their DNA. Besides her two now-furangels, Siberian Huskies “Gandalf” and “Mischief,” who both lived until they were 13, Cameo currently shares her life with two more Huskies—her foster fail “Elsker” and puppy “Waffles,” as well as a Pittie-mix “Sasha” that she shares with her sister, plus her sister’s two Doodles—“Kraken,” a Poodle, Labrador, and Cocker Spaniel mix, and “Bigfoot,” a Newfoundland and Poodle mix, that she says while are technically her sisters, “I live with them, and any dog I live with is also mine!” She is also fostering a Siberian Husky undergoing heartworm treatments named “Kaos” through 

 Decator's Place Mid-Missouri Malamute Rescue. 

 

Cameo recalls the first scare vividly. “Elsker had gotten loose when she was probably three years old because a visiting kid left the door to the house open. I didn't realize she was gone until I started walking around the house, calling her for a snack, and she didn't answer. I got a very weird feeling. And just as she asked her sister, "Do you know where Elsker is?" her phone began ringing, and her heart dropped. “And I knew.”

We all know that heart-dropping feeling when we think our dogs have gone missing from sight. Even worse, is that realization they did somehow get out. Cameo recalls that feeling all too well. “It's scary when you don't know where your dog is. If you're like me, you feel like they are your kids. I had a Husky, Mischief, in the past that escaped all the time (long story involving a challenging learning journey for me on Husky ownership). Anyhow, he narrowly avoided some bad situations and his story could be its own book. Elsker (I love her and I'm sorry for saying this) isn't as smart as Mischief was. I knew already she had no sense of cars and streets, so I was kind of freaking out. Elsker is a ‘Velcro’ dog and always right by me most of the time. The fear was I had no idea what she might be up to out in the wild by herself.”

“Microchips with current info can save you from big heartbreaks.”

~Cameo Anderson, Artist/Illustrator & Multi-Dog Mom

 

So when her phone rang, her gut instinct told her it was about Elsker. “I ran to the kitchen, but didn't get the call fast enough. It was the local animal shelter, which is basically two blocks from my house.” With a racing heart, she tried calling them back. “The line was busy. Turns out that was because they were calling Dogworks Rescue, which is where I adopted her from. (The rescue was also named on the microchip, and still is just for situations like this.) So then Pam (Dogworks) called me to tell me "Do you know Elsker is at LHS (Lenawee Humane Society)?

 

“I was able to go straight away to the shelter and get my baby,” recalls Cameo. “She was picked up by someone driving by and taken directly to the shelter.” Thanks to Cameo having her Elsker microchipped, she was able to be contacted by the shelter she listed on the microchip registration information. “My vet is not on my microchip, just myself and the rescue. That said, if there's a third spot, adding my vet might be a fabulous idea,” notes Cameo.  

  

❤️

After her beloved Siberian Husky "Elsker" escaped when a visiting child left the gate open, Cameo Anderson was so relieved and happy to have her back home—all thanks to a microchip.

 

“I'm so glad Elsker is back home. The thing is, picking her up from the shelter was pretty embarrassing. Because I spent a long time studying how to be a good Husky owner and already made all my allotted ‘mistakes’ that I learned from. That's just how I felt. But you can think you're very smart and prepared and still mess up, unfortunately. They were very nice to me about it and I'm so glad my Siberian Husky is okay. She had probably been gone for only ten minutes. In my case, the microchip got her home almost immediately.” 

 

Microchips Reunite Dog Families!

 Recently, in Chicago, a Siberian Husky who had been missing for three years was found and reunited with her family!

 

Never Give Up Hope

In another happy “tissue alert” – here is another heartwarming story from Collin County Animals Services in McKinney, Texas about “Dora” a rescued Shepherd, who, frightened by fireworks, jumped the family's backyard fence and went missing. They said the family even had search parties looking for her, but with no luck. Her family never gave up trying to find her. Then... seven months later, Dora was reunited with her human!

 

"Best Day Ever..."

In another heartwarming story shared by the Animal Humane Society, "Shiloh," a German Shepherd/Hound mix from South Dakota who had been missing for seven years was found hundreds of miles way in another state, was reunited with his owner, thanks to his being microchipped. According to AHS, Shiloh's owner, "Ashley had gone away for a college semester" and she had a friend watch Shiloh. Unfortunately, every owner's fear happened. "One day Shiloh slipped his collar, and they'd looked for him for weeks without luck...Ashley thinks someone along the rural highway, where her friend lived, may have picked him up on their way out of state, taking him far from home." There was no sightings of Shiloh...for seven years. Then the phone call from AHS came! "Ashley hopped in the car as soon as she could to make the drive up to Minnesota and retrieve her beloved pup. When Shiloh saw Ashley, he was slightly confused at first and looked her in the eyes intently — then he melted like butter." Check out the happy reunion video below, and you may need a tissue or two!

 

 

 

Microchips Work Across the World

In South Africa, the kennel staff at the Cape of Good Hope SPCA have seen many happy reunions. In this particular video they shared on their Facebook page, a gentleman was reunited with his beloved dog, a Labrador named “Pumba,” who, even after an “extensive search” was missing for nine months before a Good Samaritan spotted him walking the streets and, according to the Cape of Good Hope SPCA, “On seeing his emaciated state thankfully called an SPCA inspector to come to his rescue. Thanks to Pumba's microchip and the kindness of an animal lover we were able to locate his owner and reunite the family with their missing pet immediately.”

 

 

Excellent Microchip Advice Shared

While Cameo is happy and relieved her dog was almost immediately found and through the microchip, reunited safely with her. She does have some advice for other dog caregivers who have not yet microchipped their dog(s) and are relying on just pet ID tags: “Don't have a microchip? Here's something to think about—my dogs do have name tags on their collars. But what if your dog gets out without a collar/tag OR loses it while out goofing off? Having a microchip with up-to-date contact info can be the difference between life or death. Your dog could actually get adopted out to another family if you don't have your contact info updated OR if you don't have a microchip at all. The stray hold in my state is three days. That's it. After that, your dog can be adopted out. Microchips with current info can save you from big heartbreaks.”

 

Artwork by Cameo Anderson

 

Get the AKC Free E-Book

Visit the AKC website HERE for more info on what to do if your pet goes missing, and scroll down to download* their important E-book with critical information and immediate steps should it happens. (You will need to enter your name & Email address to download their E-book. And yes, it's FREE!)

 

More Lost or Found Pet Resources

If you've Lost or Found a dog, please check out my FiveSibes special resource page with links to pet finding organizations, AKC's info & FREE E-book mentioned above, and my The Sibe Vibe FREE two-part "Help Me! I'm Lost" podcast on Dog Works Radio featuring guests from Lost Dogs of America & Lost Dogs of Wisconsin .

 (Click on image below to go to the Lost/Found resource page & podcasts)

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