Although the idea of losing a pet is a heart-breaking thought, you’ve likely heard of pet microchipping as a solution to the problem. It ensures you find your pet no matter how far they run away from home. Here’s what you should understand about the benefits of this procedure.

Understanding Pet Microchipping

What’s a Microchip?

A microchip is a small collection of circuits, usually made from silicon. They’re found in countless electronic devices and are programmed for memory storage. They can be smaller than a fingernail and work alone or with other microchips in a system.

For pets, microchips serve as a frequency transponder. Each chip has a unique ID number keyed to a pet recovery service or veterinary database. During microchipping, they’re enclosed in a small glass capsule and injected just below the skin between your pet’s shoulder blades. It’s minimally invasive and takes only minutes to implant. Your pet can return to most normal activities immediately after.

What Are the Benefits?

Microchips are loaded with extensive data—much more than collars—including your pet’s name, home address, medications they’re taking, existing health conditions, and other details necessary for their well-being. When a lost pet is found, an animal shelter or veterinarian can scan the microchip to access all this data. Whether your pet  has strayed down the road or miles away, the microchip, in concert with a national registry system, will ensure you’re reunited.

Pet microchipping lasts your pet’s entire life and requires no battery or repeat treatments. If your pet is lost and picked up by another person, the implanted microchip is proof of ownership.

If you’re in the Charles Town, WV, area, contact Countryside Veterinary Clinic to explore pet microchipping further. This animal center offers comprehensive pet wellness services, including microchipping, spaying and neutering surgeries, dental care, and boarding. You can discover more about their services online, or call (304) 725-7663 to speak with a representative.