Check The Chip Day

Today, August 15^th is Check The Chip Day. This is a very important topic, and one that really doesn’t get as much attention as it should. We always strongly recommend getting pets microchipped. There are many positive reasons to getting this done, and really no potential drawbacks to negate them. If your furry friend has already been microchipped, you should definitely give yourself a pat on the back. However, you will still need to check that chip regularly. A Apple Valley, MN veterinarian offers some helpful information on microchips in this article.

Microchip Basics

Microchips use something called passive radio-frequency identification (RFID) technology. They don’t broadcast or transmit information, and they aren’t compatible with GPS systems, though you can (and perhaps should) equip your pet with a GPS tag or collar. Chips contain only a unique ID number, which can be read with special scanners. That number is connected to your account in the chipmaker’s database, which would contain your contact information. 

Chips may be small, but they can make a huge difference. They don’t mitigate the need for ID tags, which are required by law in many places. However, unlike tags, they are permanent and cannot easily be removed, as a collar could. If your beloved pet were to get lost, that tiny device may be the only thing linking you and your furry friend. Chips have facilitated the joyful reunions of millions of wayward dogs and cats and their worried humans.

Checking The Chip

Microchips don’t need maintenance, so to speak. And, unfortunately, you can’t use them to upgrade Fido’s operating system and get him to stop chewing your shoes. So what is Check The Chip Day for? The point here is to remind people that chips can sometimes move or malfunction, which could render them useless. Simply having your vet take time to scan the chip and ensure that it’s still working could one day save your furry pal’s life!

Data

There’s also another element to checking the chip: data. You’ll need to keep your records up to date in the chipmaker’s registry. Every time you move or change your contact information, you’ll need to update that information. You can try using the Universal Pet Microchip Lookup Tool here.  There’s also an international database, Petmaxx.

Do you need to get your pet microchipped? Contact us, your local Apple Valley, MN pet clinic, anytime!