The benefits of microchipping your pet: why it matters and how it works
A microchip is the one form of pet ID that cannot fall off or be removed. Here is how the procedure works, what it costs, and why it still needs a tag as backup.
Microchipping
A microchip carries no battery and no GPS
It stores a fixed ID number, nothing more. That number only becomes useful once a scanner reads it and someone checks it against the correct database. The chip alone cannot locate a pet or contact an owner.
Outdated registration causes most failed reunions
A vet practice or dog warden scans a stray, gets a chip number, and finds no registration or contact details that haven't been updated in years. That gap causes far more failed reunions than a chip actually malfunctioning, which is uncommon.
Can a microchip track my pet's location?
No. There's no battery or GPS inside it, so it can't be tracked. It only stores an ID number that a scanner can read at close range.
How do I find out which database my pet's chip is registered on?
The vet practice or shelter that implanted the chip can tell you, and the chip manufacturer keeps a record too. A universal microchip checker can also help you find the right database.
How pet microchip registration works: what actually happens after your pet is chipped
The chip only stores a number. Registration links it to your contact details, and it's the part owners most often skip or let go stale.