Microchipping Questions and Answers...
Q: What is a microchip?
A: A microchip is a small, electronic chip enclosed in a glass cylinder that is about the same size as a grain of rice. The microchip itself does not have a battery—it is activated by a scanner that is passed over the area, and the radiowaves put out by the scanner activate the chip. The chip transmits the identification number to the scanner, which displays the number on the screen.
Q: Why should I have my animals microchipped?
A: The best reason to have your animals microchipped is the improved chance that you'll get your animal back if it becomes lost or stolen.
Q: Does a microchip replace identification tags and rabies tags?
A: Absolutely not. Microchips are great for permanent identification that is tamper-proof, but nothing replaces a collar with up-to-date identification tags. Your pet's rabies tag should always be on its collar, so people can quickly see that your pet has been vaccinated for this deadly disease. Rabies tag numbers also allow tracing of animals and identification of a lost animal's owner, but it can be hard to have a rabies number traced after veterinary clinics or county offices are closed for the day. The microchip databases are online or telephone-accessed databases, and are available 24/7/365.
Q: Will a microchip really make it more likely for me to get my pet back if it is lost?
A: Definitely! A study of more than 7,700 stray animals at animal shelters showed that dogs without microchips were returned to their owners 21.9% of the time, whereas microchipped dogs were returned to their owners 52.2% of the time. Cats without microchips were reunited with their owners only 1.8% of the time, whereas microchipped cats went back home 38.5% of the time. (Lord et al, JAVMA, July 15, 2009) For microchipped animals that weren't returned to their owners, most of the time it was due to incorrect owner information (or no owner information) in the microchip registry database – so don't forget to register and keep your information updated. More information at http://www.avma.org/issues/microchipping/microchipping_faq.asp
A: A microchip is a small, electronic chip enclosed in a glass cylinder that is about the same size as a grain of rice. The microchip itself does not have a battery—it is activated by a scanner that is passed over the area, and the radiowaves put out by the scanner activate the chip. The chip transmits the identification number to the scanner, which displays the number on the screen.
Q: Why should I have my animals microchipped?
A: The best reason to have your animals microchipped is the improved chance that you'll get your animal back if it becomes lost or stolen.
Q: Does a microchip replace identification tags and rabies tags?
A: Absolutely not. Microchips are great for permanent identification that is tamper-proof, but nothing replaces a collar with up-to-date identification tags. Your pet's rabies tag should always be on its collar, so people can quickly see that your pet has been vaccinated for this deadly disease. Rabies tag numbers also allow tracing of animals and identification of a lost animal's owner, but it can be hard to have a rabies number traced after veterinary clinics or county offices are closed for the day. The microchip databases are online or telephone-accessed databases, and are available 24/7/365.
Q: Will a microchip really make it more likely for me to get my pet back if it is lost?
A: Definitely! A study of more than 7,700 stray animals at animal shelters showed that dogs without microchips were returned to their owners 21.9% of the time, whereas microchipped dogs were returned to their owners 52.2% of the time. Cats without microchips were reunited with their owners only 1.8% of the time, whereas microchipped cats went back home 38.5% of the time. (Lord et al, JAVMA, July 15, 2009) For microchipped animals that weren't returned to their owners, most of the time it was due to incorrect owner information (or no owner information) in the microchip registry database – so don't forget to register and keep your information updated. More information at http://www.avma.org/issues/microchipping/microchipping_faq.asp
About 134.2 kHz (ISO) Microchips
134.2 kHz (ISO) microchips are quickly growing in popularity in the United
States and used by many large veterinary groups and an increasing number of municipalities across the country. ISO microchips comply with ISO standard 11784 and are the standard in many countries across Europe, Canada and Japan and comply with ISO standard 11784. ISO microchips are recommended if you will be traveling outside of the United States with your pet.
The following microchip scanners read the ISO microchip
States and used by many large veterinary groups and an increasing number of municipalities across the country. ISO microchips comply with ISO standard 11784 and are the standard in many countries across Europe, Canada and Japan and comply with ISO standard 11784. ISO microchips are recommended if you will be traveling outside of the United States with your pet.
The following microchip scanners read the ISO microchip
- AKC CAR ProScan 700 and QuickScan 650
- HomeAgain Universal Worldscan
- Bayer IMAX
- Green AVID 1034/3 MiniTracker 3
