When should I microchip my pet?

Some owners feel that their pet doesn’t need identification because they stay indoors, but in our experience, these are the most likely pets to become lost when they get outside by accident. As separation from your cat or dog can happen all too easily, permanent identification by microchipping is critical. Every pet should have microchip identification as the procedure can be done at any age.

How does microchipping work?

The small microchip is injected under the skin between the shoulder blades of your pet in a relatively harmless veterinary procedure. The chip is permanent, lasting the whole life of the pet. Your information is registered with your microchip and the bar code number so that you can be contacted if your pet ever becomes found. If a pet is found, all animal care facilities (shelters, hospitals, pounds, etc.) will scan the pet for a microchip using a special microchip reader that is simply waved over the skin. Once a microchip is found, a special hotline is called, and the lost pet is reported. The pet owner is then called immediately and given the contact information about where to pick up their pet.

Important Notes

Cost includes registration.

Pets must be at least 8 weeks old to receive a microchip.

Microchipping is a permanent animal identification system that takes just seconds to administer. The CCSPCA highly recommends microchipping your pets in addition to collars and tags.

After your animal has been microchipped, you should receive a confirmation letter from 24Petwatch, verifying all of your information. Please make sure you review information attached to your animal’s microchip registration. If you ever move or change any of your information, such as your phone number, please contact the microchip company immediately to update your animal’s registration. Often animals come into our Animal Center with a microchip but with outdated contact information, prohibiting the animal’s safe return home. The gift of the microchip can be a life saving gift for the animal that receives it.

To learn more about microchips click here.