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 has no battery and no GPS
It only stores a fixed ID number, nothing else. That number is useful only once a scanner reads it and someone checks it against the correct database. The chip alone cannot locate a pet or get in touch with its owner.
Most failed reunions happen because of outdated registration
A vet clinic or shelter scans a stray, gets a chip number, and finds no registration or a phone number that changed years ago and was never updated. That gap causes far more failed reunions than an actual chip fault, which is uncommon.
Can a microchip track my pet's location?
No. It has no battery or GPS, so it cannot be tracked like a phone. It only stores an ID number that a scanner can read at close range.
How do I know which database my pet's chip is registered with?
The vet or shelter that implanted the chip can tell you, and the chip manufacturer keeps a record as well. A universal microchip lookup tool 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.