Microchips: Frequently Asked Questions
All pets treated on the Animal Rescue League of Boston’s Spay Waggin’ receive a microchip, which allows shelters and animal control officers to locate you should your pet ever become lost. Pet stores and private animal care facilities often charge between $40 - $50 for this service, but the Spay Waggin’ is pleased to offer microchip implantation to our clients at a substantially lower cost.
Q: What is a pet microchip?
A: A microchip is an electronic device placed under the skin of a dog, cat or other animal. The chips are about the size of a grain of rice and emit a low-frequency radio wave when detected by a special scanner. The scanner will pick up a specific ID number that, when entered into the microchip manufacturer’s database, will correspond to the owner’s contact information. Pet microchips aren’t a tracking or GPS (global positioning system) device but rather a means of storing a pet owner’s address and phone number in the event the pet is lost.
Q: Is the process of implanting the chip painful for the animal?
A: No, the procedure is no more painful than a routine vaccination. The microchip is typically implanted between the animal’s shoulder blades just beneath the surface of the skin. The microchip’s components are housed in a glass casing made from soda lime, which is known for its biocompatibility with skin tissue. After implantation, the animal will be unaware of the presence of the chip.
Q: There are a few different microchip manufacturers. Are shelters able to scan and identify animals microchipped by different manufacturers?
A: Unfortunately there is no universal scanner available. Many microchip manufacturers have supplied shelters and animal control professionals with scanners free of charge, but not all have. To see if your local animal care facilities have a scanner that is compatible with your pet’s microchip, call them or visit www.pets911.com for a listing of local animal care facilities. If your city’s local shelter and/or animal control division lacks a compatible scanner, call the microchip manufacturer and ask them to provide one free of charge.
Q: How is my contact information stored?
A: After the chip is implanted, a Spay Waggin’ staff person will register your pet in the chip manufacturer’s database using a form that contains the chip’s ID number, your contact information, the name and description of your pet, the Animal Rescue League of Boston's contact information and an alternate emergency contact.
Q: How do I update my contact information if I move?
A: If your contact information changes, you can either visit the manufacturer’s website or call the company directly to change your information. It is extremely important to make sure you keep this information current to ensure that, if your pet becomes lost, a shelter can find you.
Q: Is having a pet microchipped expensive?
A: The procedure typically costs anywhere between $30 -$70 but, as a customer of the Spay Waggin,’ the cost of a microchip is included in the fee.
