I would be lost without my pets and I worry about them getting lost because the reality is…pets do find ways to get lost regardless of precautions. In our backyard, we have a rustic, makeshift dog pen that is in need of repair and recently my dog has discovered a way to escape out of the pen. I have been lucky that he has not wandered away from the house but know that even when the pen is fixed, it is possible that pets can find a way to escape when you least expect it. This recently led me to explore the option of microchip implantation for pets online. I found that the procedure is quite simple and seems to be relatively painless for pets; similar to a routine shot or vaccination. No anesthetic is required as a veterinarian simply injects a microchip, about the size of a grain of rice, into your pet’s skin between the shoulder blades.

Once implanted, the microchip becomes your pet’s permanent ID with the lost pet recovery service of your choice. One very interesting item I discovered is that if you decide you do not like the pet recovery service you sign up with initially, you can change services but use the same microchip. The chip typically has no internal energy source so it should last the life of your pet. Chips are easily read when a scanner that emits low-frequency radio waves is run over your pet’s shoulder blades. Scanners can positively identify your pet through their unique ID code. Since your name and address will be available on a regional or national data base, your pet should be returned to you very quickly once they are found.

A few interesting facts…a study conducted from 2007 to 2008 found that animal shelters across the nation were able to use information found on microchips implanted under the skin to reunite three-quarters of stray dogs and nearly two-thirds of lost cast with their owners. Without proper identification, only 15% of dogs and 2% of cats found their way home. A microchip can be your pet’s ticket home if they get lost and end up in a shelter.

In reading about different lost pet recovery services, a few cautionary items to consider are:

• Look for a company that uses a universal scanner. Some companies use a scanner unique to their business but which may not be compatible with those at a shelter and will not identify your pet.
• Be sure the company you choose uses a system that keeps the microchip in place once it is implanted in your pet. When a chip moves out of place, it cannot be found by a scanner. Many companies have patented systems to keep the microchip fixed firmly to ensure it can be easily read by a scanner.
• Make sure your veterinarian has a scanner that can read your pet’s chip. This way, when you visit the vet, they are able to run checks on the microchip to be sure it is positioned and working properly.

Overall, I was very impressed by the amount of information I found online and the positive items I read regarding microchips and how they have been refined over the years to work well and help owners reunite their lost pets.