Microchip Identification
We offer and highly recommend microchip identification for your pet. Some pet owners are unclear exactly what microchipping is and often confuse it with GPS localization. The following information should give you a better understanding of what microchip identification is and how your pet can benefit from this service.

What is a microchip?  The microchip is a tiny computer chip, about the size of a grain of rice, programmed with an identification number. The chip is enclosed in biocompatible glass and is small enough to fit into a hypodermic needle. Once an animal is injected with a microchip, it can be identified throughout its life with this unique number.

What's the benefit of microchipping my pet? Microchips are permanent and can't be lost, altered or destroyed. Pet owners have been reunited with microchipped pets that have been missing for years or that have traveled thousands of miles. Microchips help return lost pets to their owners and also serve as proof of ownership if your pet is stolen.

How does the microchip work? A special scanner is used to send a radio signal to the chip to read the identification number. The pet feels nothing when the scanner is placed over it. The number is displayed on the scanner and the scanner operator can contact a national registry to find out who the pet belongs to. Most animal shelters and veterinary offices will have a scanner available.

How is the microchip implanted? Microchips are implanted by injection under the skin between the shoulder blades. Once implanted the chip can't be seen or felt. While sedation or anesthesia is not required for implantation, the needle used is a large bore needle and we prefer to do implantations while the patient is anesthetized for another procedure, say for example, spaying, neutering or teeth cleaning.

How long does the microchip last? Since the microchip has no batteries, power supply or moving parts, it should last for the life of your pet, even when implanted in young puppies and kittens.
 
Are microchips safe for my pet?  The microchip is inert, smooth and nonallergenic. When placed properly there is little chance of the chip migrating from the site of implantation. While a recently published scientific paper reported microchips causing tumor development in a strain of mice specifically bred to be highly prone to tumor development, there have been no cases ever reported where a microchip was linked to tumor development in a dog or cat.
The images below show a radiograph of a microchip implanted in a cat and one of the commonly used microchip scanners.