Rat Rescue :: To Chip or not to Chip?

To Microchip or not to Microchip?

Over 250,000 dogs and cats are reported missing every year, many ending up in animal shelters as they have no form of identification (source BBCi website). This short guide explains about the benefits of having your pet microchipped.

Why should I microchip my pet? Surely a collar with a tag is enough?

You have a one in three chance of losing your pet - a recent survey* showed that 1 in 3 dog and cat owners (35%) had their pet go missing at some point. Collars and tags can easily come off, leaving your pet vulnerable and unidentifiable unless he or she has been microchipped. It is estimated that less than half of all pets found are reunited with their owners because they cannot be identified.

Microchipping is probably the best insurance you can get for your pet's safe return home in the unfortunate event of him or her going missing. Your details are easily accessible meaning your pet can be identified and returned to you immediately, saving both you and your pet, distress.

The chips provide a permanent, non-removable means of identification that will never fade or get lost, unlike with tattoos or collars, and are perfectly safe and painless to inject.

How does a microchip work?

Microchips are electronic devices about the size of a grain of rice and are implanted by a quick, easy and completely painless injection, usually in the back of the neck on dogs, cats and rabbits, and under the wing on birds.

Each chip has a unique number (one of 750 trillion, so there is no chance of duplication!) which refers to you and your pet's details.

Your pet will not be aware the chip is there, nor will you be able to feel it when you stroke him or her. It will not interfere with your radio - the chips remain electronically inactive until it is activated by the low frequency radio signal of the microchip reader or scanner!

Should your pet go missing and is subsequently found (say by a third party, such as a rescue centre, local dog warden or a member of the public who realises your pet is a stray and takes them down to the local vets), then a scanner/reader will be able to pick up the unique number which will be cross referenced to you.

How reliable are microchips?

As to the chip itself, in the early days there was a potential for the chips to migrate - ie move within the animal's body - and inexperienced reader and scanner operators often missed the chip as they only scanned the neck area of the body.

Nowadays, most chips have an anti-migration cap to stop this happening and scanner operators tend to scan the whole animal just to be sure.
International standards (ISO) for microchips have recently been announced, endorsing the belief in their reliability. When getting your pet microchipped, ask your vet to make sure that the chip meets an ISO specification.

As a matter of course, most rescue centres now microchip any animals they are to rehome. Prior to micropchipping, a wayward pet would end up at a rescue centre to be rehomed, while his or her family were frantically out looking for them. Microchipping saves upset both to the owner and to the pet.

What are the chances of my pet being scanned if it is picked up?

The reader/scanner network consists of approximately 4,000 scanners, which means that if your pet is picked up, you have an excellent chance of him or her being scanned and being safely returned home.

This network includes Veterinary Surgeries, Cruelty and Welfare Societies, Stray Kennels, some Dog Wardens, the Police Force, Cats Protection League Branches, Horse Sale Rings, Abattoirs and Trading Standards Officers.

Are they suitable for just dogs and cats?

No, microchips are suitable or all pets, from small animals, such as birds and mice, right up to horses.

Microchipping is now acknowledged to be the most acceptable form of permanent identification available for pets and horses as it is permanent, tamperproof, reliable and painless.

What happens if I move and my details change?

Changing your details is no problem. Some of the microchipping providers have an online facility whereby you can change your details, such as name and/or address. If this facility is not available, you can write to the company. A change of detail normally incurs a nominal fee - normally around £3.00.

Is it expensive to microchip my pet?

To microchip your pet costs around £25. This is a one-off cost and, unless you change your contact details, it is unlikely you will have to pay any additional costs. Put into the big scheme of things, it is money well spent - in the unfortunate event that your pet does ever go missing, you know you've got a better chance of being reunited with him or her than via the traditional methods.

What is the Pet Passport scheme?

Now that you can take your pet abroad, one of the stipulations is that he or she is microchipped.