How to Use a Microchip ID Implant to Find a Missing Pet

A microchip ID implant is a great tool to help find missing pets. Vet offices and hospitals now use chips to locate the rightful owner of lost pets. And, more and more shelters use them to determine whether a pet is a stray or has an owner. The cost of a microchip ID implant is next to nothing and the procedure to have it implanted takes less than 5 minutes.

Instructions

1. Have your pet implanted with a microchip as soon as possible. Puppies are more likely to run away, get lost or go missing, so it is important that they are microchipped early.

2. Research brands available. Some microchip ID implants are more popular than others, so shelters and veterinarians are more likely to have the right scanners for them.

3. Contact the manufacturer of your microchip as soon as your pet goes missing. When the microchip ID was inserted, you should have registered it at a special national database with basic information such as your name, address and phone number. Some companies offer an alert service, which sends the microchip ID number to veterinarians and shelters throughout your area once you report your pet missing.

4. Call shelters and let them know that your missing pet has a microchip. While shelters usually scan all animals that come in, they are more likely to be diligent about it if they know that there is a missing pet out there. Give the person on the phone a short description of your pet, so she can keep an eye out for any animal that matches your description.

5. Use your microchip ID number in all official paperwork related to your pet. If you are traveling, have a pet passport, are leaving your pet in a kennel or are, for any circumstance, separated from it, make sure the people taking care of your dog or cat have the number available, so they can pass it on to vets and shelters in the case that your pet becomes lost.

Tips & Warnings

• It is important that you keep your information up to date in the manufacturer's database. If you move, change your phone number or get a new last name, update your information. The microchip will be useless if your information is outdated.

• Microchips ID implants are more common for dogs, so not all veterinarians may have the ability to implant them in cats. Ask around to find a qualified vet.