Microchipping your pet has become one of the most important parts of new pet ownership, second to getting your pet affordable Pet Insurance.
The day your pet goes missing, is the day you will really appreciate the effort you made to have your pets microchipped, and keeping their information up to date as you change address or phone numbers.
Today we will take you through the steps that you need to follow to have your pet microchipped, and we discuss most of the frequently asked questions of Microchipping your pet.
Step 1
To have your pets microchipped:
Where to go to microchip an animal:
- Your nearest vet
- SPCA
- Animal shelter
Step 2
Which Microchip Brand will suit you best? Take a look at how they differ in price, size and after-care service options.
The following four companies provide this service to you and your pets should they ever get lost or stolen one day:
Step 3
Frequently Asked Questions about Microchipping a Pet
- Is it painful?
No more than any inoculation (says the doctor). Of course, it must hurt a little. Give your pet a little treat afterwards, they deserve it! - What does the average microchip cost the pet owner?
The microchip and its insertion by a vet or SPCA can cost between R250– R450. Your pet is then identifiable for life. The microchip never “wears” out. Your pet will always have an identity. It is the ultimate act of love that you can give your pet. - Are these microchips a type of a tracker system?
Microchips do not contain a battery, nor are they charged like a cell-phone. Therefore they do not send out a signal, and consequently cannot be tracked. There is no implantable animal microchip that can be tracked like a stolen car. Microchips are an “electronic ID book” for your pet. If lost the pet is scanned at a vet or SPCA for the microchip number. The information logged against that number is then accessed from the database of the relevant microchip company.
- What happens if a pet owner moves overseas or the animal is exported?
The pet will have to be re-registered in the database of the country of a new residence.
- If an animal is lost or stolen, can it be re-registered by someone else?
No, before implanting a microchip, the vet will check that the pet is not already implanted. For a change of ownership in the database, documentation is required and the currently registered owner will be contacted to confirm that the pet has been sold/given to the new applicant. - Why is it important to capture the current details of the pet owner?
This will ensure that pets found are re-homed as soon as possible, with the minimal amount to stress for the pet and the owner.
Are there any risks involved?
Do microchips cause cancer? The pet microchips and cancer question has surfaced and re-surfaced over the years, causing worry for those who have had their pets microchipped. Are microchips worth it? Let’s look at the pros and cons.
The Pros
- Millions of dogs, cats, horses, llamas and other animals have been microchipped without any reported problems.
- Thousands of animals have been reunited with their people after becoming lost or stolen. According to one microchip manufacturer, 10,000 pets are reunited with their people each month thanks to their microchips.
- Microchips work even after collars break or tags fall off.
- Vets, shelters and pet owners can lookup and reunite pets and their people.
The Cons
- Potential for injury or infection with implantation.
- On rare occasion, microchips have migrated to other areas of the body other than the shoulder area.
- Some animals have been reported to have tumours at the microchip location. Was the tumour caused by the chip? The exact cause has not been proven at this time.
A pet microchip creates a forever bond between you and the pet you love. Microchip your pets today, you’ll give your pets the best chance of coming back home to you.
Step 4
Once you have decided which product will suit you best, diarise an annual update to ensure that your pets’ information is still visible and on the system that you have chosen.
By doing so you should:
- have your dog scanned at any vet, and then
- contact the microchip company and confirm that your details are accurate on their system.
From there, the cost of owning a pet has increased dramatically over the past few years due to the advancement of the veterinary service offering. Not many pet parents can afford much needed medical procedures which they are bound to experience during their pets’ lifetime. That is why we recommend that you get pet insurance for your pet today.
