Category: Microchip

Microchipping

4/13/2017

Most lost family pets that are found or rescued are unidentifiable and the vast majority NEVER returns home. Collars with tags may come off or be removed and tattoos become illegible over time and are difficult to trace. Pets can safely and painlessly be identified using a microchip inserted under the skin between the shoulder blades. This microchip is the size of a grain of rice, and is inserted by injection (like a vaccination).

If you are a dog owner in Lancaster County, you can obtain a lifetime license from the county once your pet has been microchipped. This is a one-time licensing fee, that will provide a license for your dog for the remainder of his or her lifetime.

How does the chip work:
- Every chip has a unique ID number, providing permanent, unalterable identification. After being implanted, the pet is registered in the national database. By tracing its implanted ID number, animal control personnel may return a lost pet even before the loss has been reported.

How will someone know if my pet is microchipped:
- The microchip system provides a reliable network of veterinary professionals, animal shelters, and animal control agencies with the capability to scan all lost and stray animals for microchip identification.

Will the microchip cause pain or discomfort:
- The microchip is inserted with a needle and syringe and the procedure is similar to receiving a vaccination. Once implanted, the microchip is absolutely painless. Your pet will never know it is there! The chip lives in the “fatty” tissue between the shoulders.

When can the microchip be implanted:
- The chip can be place virtually at any time, during a routine office visit, or while the pet is here for a surgical procedure such as a spay or neuter or dental cleaning.