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. That number becomes useful once a scanner picks it up and someone checks it against the right database. The chip on its own can't locate a pet or contact an owner.
Most failed reunions come from outdated details, not broken chips
A vet or SPCA branch scans a stray, gets a chip number, and finds no registration or a contact number that's no longer active. That gap causes far more failed reunions than an actual chip fault, which is rare.
Can a microchip track my pet if it wanders off?
No. It has no battery or GPS, so it can't be tracked. It only stores an ID number a scanner can read at close range.
How do I find out which database my pet's chip is registered on?
The vet or SPCA branch that implanted the chip will have a record, and the manufacturer can confirm it as well. A universal microchip lookup tool can also help identify 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.