National Check The Chip Day
Crosspoint Veterinary Hospital, Covington, Louisiana
Augustl 2023
Microchips greatly increase the chances that pets will be reunited with their families if they are lost or stolen…but a microchip only works if its registration information is accurate. To remind pet owners to have their pets microchipped and to keep the registration information up to date, AVMA and the American Animal Hospital Association (AAHA) joined together to create Check the Chip Day. With support from HomeAgain, they have been able to develop additional materials to promote this event.
What is a microchip? A microchip is a small, electronic chip enclosed in a glass cylinder that is about the same size as a grain of rice. The microchip itself does not have a battery—it is activated by a scanner that is passed over the area, and the radio waves put out by the scanner activate the chip. The chip transmits the identification number to the scanner, which displays the number on the screen. The microchip itself is also called a transponder.
How is a microchip implanted into an animal? Is it painful? Does it require surgery or anesthesia? 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.
How does a microchip help reunite a lost animal with its owner? When an animal is found and taken to a shelter or veterinary clinic, one of the first things the staff does is scan the animal for a microchip. If they find a microchip, and if the microchip registry has accurate information, they can quickly find the animal’s owner.
What should I do to “maintain” my pet’s microchip? Once your pet is microchipped, there are only three things you need to do: make sure the microchip is registered, ask your veterinarian to scan your pet’s microchip at least once a year to make sure the microchip is still functioning and can be detected, keep your registration information up to date.
If you have any more questions about microchipping contact Crosspoint Veterinary Hospital at 985-888-1566 and the staff will be happy to help you!