Dog Microchipping at Highland Park
Can microchips be used to track my dog?
Microchips can not be used to track your dog in real time like a GPS device.
How is a microchip used to identify my dog?
A microchip identifies your pet through a simple process involving RFID technology and a registration database. A vet or animal shelter injects the microchip (about the size of a grain of rice) under your pet’s skin between the shoulder blades. If your pet is lost and found, a vet, shelter, or animal control officer uses a scanner to check for a chip. The scanner emits a radio signal that powers the chip and retrieves its unique identification number.
The ID number doesn’t contain personal information itself. The number is then entered into a microchip registry database, which links to your contact information.
Who can scan my dog’s microchip information?
Several professionals and organizations have the equipment and authority to scan your dog’s microchip. Here’s who can do it – Veterinarians, Animal Shelters and Rescues, Animal Control Officers, Pet Hospitals and Emergency Clinics, Humane Societies and SPCA locations.
What does the microchipping recovery process look like in the event my dog is lost?
A good Samaritan, neighbor, or animal control finds your dog and brings it to a vet clinic, animal shelter, and an animal control facility. Then a staff member uses a universal microchip scanner to check for a chip. If a chip is found, it displays a unique ID number. The staff member then searches this number in microchip registries (HomeAgain, Avid, PetLink). If your contact information is correct and up to date, they’ll call, text, or email you directly.
Why do veterinarians recommend getting my dog microchipped?
Veterinarians strongly recommend microchipping dogs because it’s one of the safest, most reliable ways to help reunite lost pets with their owners.
Unlike collars or tags, a microchip cannot fall off, be removed, or wear out. Microchipped pets are also 2.5 times more likely to be returned to their owners than those without chips. Inserting a chip just takes seconds. No anesthesia or surgery is needed.
What if I forget or lose my dog’s microchip information?
Any veterinary clinic or animal shelter can scan your dog and get the microchip ID number. Once you have this number you can go to www.petmicrochiplookup.org This will tell you which company the chip is registered with and then you can contact that registry directly. They can help you recover your account and update your contact information.
Are there other smart products that can connect to my dog’s microchip?
Great question! While your dog’s microchip itself is a passive device, some smart products can work directly alongside it – but they don’t connect to the microchip. Instead, they often use ID verification or work in tandem with it for better safety and convenience. These Smart Products include microchip-activated pet doors, microchip activated feeders, and smart collars with app integration.
Need to make an appointment for your dog?