Microchip Maintenance: Keeping Your Dog Safe in an Emergency
As a professional dog trainer, I often emphasize the importance of microchipping for pet safety. While microchips are invaluable tools for reuniting lost pets with their families, they are not magic solutions. Think of them as a virtual collar tag that can almost never fall off. It’s essential to understand how microchips work, maintain their effectiveness, and dispel common misconceptions.
Here are three critical things every pet owner needs to know about microchips:
1. Register and Keep Your Information Updated
A microchip is only as effective as the information tied to it. Many pet owners assume that once the chip is implanted, the work is done. Unfortunately, if the chip isn’t registered with your contact information, it is essentially useless.
• Register: Ensure your pet’s microchip is registered with the appropriate database. If you’re unsure where it’s registered, ask your veterinarian to scan it for you during your next visit.
• Keep it current: Anytime you move, change your phone number, or update your email address, update the information linked to your pet’s microchip. Check to see whether the database you use requires a yearly subscription. Some manufacturers require yearly registration for your chip to be effective.
2. Understand the Limitations of Microchips
One common myth is that microchips can track your pet’s location. Microchips are not GPS devices; they work like ID tags implanted under the skin. A scanner must be used to retrieve the unique identification number, which links to your contact information in a database.
3. Check for Migration Annually
Did you know that microchips can sometimes migrate from their original implantation site? While this isn’t common, it’s worth checking. Migration can make it harder for a scanner to locate the chip quickly. My dog, for example, received his chip at a young age while his body was still a little spongy. His chip has made its way all the way into his elbow, while I know it’s there, vets often couldn’t find it when I asked them to check for it. Even though he isn’t a flight risk, life can still happen. I elected to give him a second microchip two years ago just to have peace of mind in case of a disaster.
During your dog’s annual vet visit, ask the veterinarian to scan your pet to ensure the chip is still in place. This is a quick and painless process.
Why This Matters
Every year, thousands of lost pets end up in shelters. Microchips significantly increase the likelihood of a happy reunion, but they only work if you keep your end of the bargain. Ensuring your dog’s microchip is registered, updated, and functioning properly is one of the easiest ways to protect your pet and give yourself peace of mind.
Taking a few minutes each year to review your pet’s microchip information and get a quick scan at the vet could make all the difference if your dog ever goes missing. Let’s work together to keep our pets safe and ensure that if the unthinkable happens, they can find their way home.
Pictured below is my dog, Journey. She was surrendered to ACCT Philly earlier this year and her microchip ended up throwing everyone for a loop, but was pivotal in getting her history and keeping her safe when she was abandoned by her previous owners.
