Microchipping your pet is a permanent method of identification, a microchip is very small, about the size of a grain of rice, a vet will implant this chip under the skin of your dog or cat, it will usually be placed under the shoulder blades (where there is lots of skin) just by your pet’s neck, every chip has a unique number that can be used when scanned.
Microchipping should not be painful; your pet may feel a sharp scratch (just like when having an injection) nor anaesthetic or surgery will be required, and it can be implanted in seconds during a standard vet visit.
If your dog or cat gets stolen or lost, microchipping will help you identify that it is your lost pet, a thief may remove a collar or tag, but as the microchip is embedded under the skin they will not know its there and will not be able to remove it if someone found your dog or cat and claimed it as their own microchipping would be able to prove that this is your dog or cat.
Microchips are so tiny that once implanted, it is near impossible to remove them or damage them in any way. Microchips are designed to last for the duration of your pets’ life.
New puppies must be microchipped within the first two months of their first registration, this will then be held on the national dog database. New kittens require a kitten to be microchipped by 6 months old. Cats and dogs must be microchipped according to section 10C of the domestic animal’s act 1994.
Microchipping your pet is the best chance you have of being reunited if they were to go missing or was stolen. Unfortunately, thousands of pets do get stolen or lost every year and many are never reunited with their owners, microchipping can give you the best chance of getting your pet home!
Cost-wise microchipping is not that expensive, it will usually cost between £10-£15, always make sure you take your pet to a reputable veterinary practice and that the person carrying out the microchipping is qualified to do so