Microchips were plan to reunite pets and their owners in a simple , safe means . But is the peace of mind worth the disbursement ?

A preferred microchip is a tiny abridgement ( about the size of a food grain of rice ) that can help you reunify with your hound should he ever get lose . It ’s a lasting form of identification that ’s implanted under your whelp ’s skin , typically between the shoulder blade .

The common misconception about a microchip is that it ’s a tracking machine . take note that a microchip does not show your dog ’s location . It actually stores a unique ID number that ’s linked to your inter-group communication entropy . If your dog ever runs off , you will have the peacefulness of brain their microchip connects them back to you no matter where they wander .

collarless puppy outdoors

Photo: khoa vu / Getty

How Does a Microchip Work?

If your lacking dog is found and taken to a shelter or veterinarian , the staff will utilize a silicon chip electronic scanner to explore your dog for the microchip , which is then read by the scanner for a unique identification identification number . This ID number is pre - register with your phone number or address . The microchip company then reaches out to the information you have on file with the scheme for riposte your four - legged friend to you . And unlike a arrest , a microchip lasts your favorite ’s full life . You just need to ensure the selective information stored in the chip single file is correct , so if you move or change phone numbers game , be sure to upgrade your record with the manufacturer of your bounder ’s chip .

“ microchip provide an extra level of protection in vitrine your pet loses their shoe collar and tags , ” sound out Kimberley Alboum , protection outreach and insurance involvement director for the Humane Society of the United States . “ Providing your pets with both tag and a microchip can increase the chances of a reunification if your pet gets lost . ”

How is Your Dog’s Microchip Embedded?

The identification abridgment is whole safe for your pet , and luckily , so is the procedure to get one . There ’s no anesthetic required , and it only takes a few minutes . The microchip is laden into a sterile applicator and inject beneath the skin like a shot . It ’s comparatively painless — the expanse between the shoulder blade where it ’s embedded is less tender than other part of the body . Your dog will respond similarly to when he is vaccinated with a normal injection at the vet ’s office . Many possessor get their deary a chip at the same time they ’re getting spayed or neutered , so the entire process happens while they ’re asleep , anyway .

How Much Does it Cost to Microchip a Dog?

To get your bounder microchipped , the average cost is around $ 45 . This includes the actual chip , the veterinary surgeon procedure , and the online registration process . The size of the blackguard does not convert the Mary Leontyne Price , as the operation is typically the same and the existent chip does n’t vary much at all .

If your dog was adopted from a protection , you may be in lot . He or she might already have a microchip from their past life , and many rescue organizations mechanically microchip the firedog before he provide the shelter with his forever kinsperson . you may call for that your vet double check for an survive microchip with a quick scan . If the dog already has one , all you ’ll need to do is register their ID number with your data .

Is the Cost of Microchipping a Dog Worth it?

consider about it : a dim-witted five - minute operation could redeem you from major heartache down the road . And as a one - fourth dimension expense , it ’s something you wo n’t need to worry about for the relaxation of your whelp ’s life , unless you need to revise your information . Given all thecosts associated with owning a dog , the blue price of a microchip is n’t a lot to bear for the knowledge that if your good bud ever wanders off , you ’ll be sluttish to find so he can get back home secure and sound .