The Importance of Microchipping Your Pet

Microchipping your pet significantly improves your chances of finding them if they get lost. And while most pet parents don’t think their pets would ever run away, the reality is that one in every three pets will become separated from their owners at least once in the pet’s lifetime. 

At Rocklin Ranch Veterinary Hospital + Urgent Care, we want all pets to live their healthiest and safest lives, which is why we’re advocates for microchipping pets. 

Reuniting Lost Pets: These Numbers Don’t Lie

Every year in the United States, people lose or have stolen about 10 million dogs and cats. Unfortunately, less than a quarter reunite with their owners. 

The AVMA’s study of stray animals reveals these statistics about reuniting lost pets:  

• Owners reclaim only 22% of lost dogs without microchips, while microchipped dogs reunite with their families 52% of the time. 
• Only 1.8% of lost cats without microchips find their way back home, but nearly 40% of microchipped cats are returned to their owners.
• The top reason microchipped pets don’t make it home is outdated owner information in the microchip registry database. 

How Pet Microchips Work

The answers to these frequently asked questions can help you better understand how pet microchips work as well as pet microchipping benefits.

• What is a microchip? A microchip is a tiny computer chip that contains a unique ID number. 
• How are microchips implanted? A microchip (about the size of a grain of rice) is injected under a pet’s skin with a needle and syringe—much like a vaccine. No anesthesia is needed, and we can microchip your pet during any wellness visit. 
• How long do microchips last? They are designed to last throughout the pet’s life. 
• Is my personal information on the microchip? No. Your pet’s microchip will contain a unique ID number visible only to veterinarians and animal shelters via a special microchip scanner. The veterinarian can find your contact information by entering the ID number into a microchip registry. Owners must keep their contact information up to date.
• Isn’t my pet’s collar and ID tag enough? A collar with up-to-date tags is important for any pet when outdoors, but collars can be removed. Microchips are permanent. 
• Are microchips safe? Yes! Microchips are made from materials that do not rust, disintegrate, or cause allergic reactions, and they do not contain batteries.

More Microchipping Tips

• Have your pet microchipped at your pet’s next wellness visit, or schedule a microchip appointment. 
• If your pet already has a microchip, ask your veterinarian to scan it to ensure that it still works properly.
• Keep your contact information updated on your pet’s microchip registry. 
• Tell other pet parents about pet microchipping benefits!

If you would like to have your pet microchipped or if you have more questions about how pet microchips work, please contact us at (916) 624-7387.