I Pet You Didn't Know: Why You Should Microchip Your Pet

By Kyle Klosinski

     One thing that all pet owners fear is losing their pets. There are frequently stories heard about someone’s pet who ran away from home only to never return. It is a sad experience and no pet owner should ever have to go through it. Microchipping is a technology designed to help track your pet if they were to run away or squeeze out the door when you left it open for a second too long. A Microchip is inserted into your pet to ensure they can be traced back to you. If your pet is found by an animal shelter or clinic, they get scanned to see if they have a Microchip in them. If they do have one, it is entered into a database and has all your information so they can call you and alert you where your loved one is. Most people think a collar will have the same effect but they easily fall off and get lost, leaving your pet without identification and no way to contact its owner.

     You might be thinking “Well, won’t putting a microchip hurt my pet?” the answer is no. The Microchip is the size of a grain of rice and is inserted the same way a vaccine would be. Its material was created to be compatible with living skin tissue so it won’t cause irritation or pain to your furry friends. Each animal has different insertion point but the basic procedure simply involved a needle and then the Microchip is placed under the skin. With a lifespan of over 20 years, it can help ensure your pet will easily find its way back home if they do manage to escape. You never know when they will slip through the fence, or burst out the door when you leave it open for 3 seconds. It is a smart backup plan that isn’t very expensive and can save you and your pet a lot of trouble in the long run.

 The price can vary depending on your veterinarian’s price range. The average price for a Microchip insertion for your pet is from $25-$60 which is not bad at all to properly identify your pet. Most people would use this service for cats and dogs but it can be used on a various number of animals. Many animals including dogs, cats, horses, rabbits, ferrets, snakes, and turtles (yes, they runaway too) have been Microchipped. While it can be used for keeping your pet safe, the Microchip is often used on wild animals for research to learn more about various animal’s behaviors. To find out how much it would cost to Microchip your pet, call or visit your local veterinarian to see their prices.