Why Should I Get My Pet Microchipped ?

By Author: Jackie Sheppard
Total Articles: 1
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Each year there are thousands of pets lost and abandoned, many of which end up with animal charities or rescue centres. Unfortunately, some of these lost animals are never returned home as their owners simply cannot be traced.

Microchipping is not only a quick and simple process, but an affordable and permanent way of identifying your pet, and ensures that they can be traced back to you should they go missing. In the past collars and tags and even tattoos have been common methods of pet identification. However, collars and tags can be easily removed and tattoos are often difficult to read as they fade over time. Microchips are the one permanent and sure way of identifying pets and a microchip will remain throughout their lifetime.

When microchips were first introduced some years ago, they were most commonly known as being for dogs. However, today microchips are used for many different species of pets including birds and all kinds of exotic pets.

What Are Microchips?

A microchip is a tiny device, inside which is a small electronic circuit. Microchips are around the size of one grain of rice. Each chip ...
... has it's own unique number which can be read with hand held scanning devices used by veterinary practices, police, animal charities, dog wardens and rescue centres. The unique number holds your pet's details and is kept on a database with your address and contact details.

Microchips are safe and usually cannot even be felt underneath the skin after they have been implanted and they cannot be removed.

How Is Microchipping Done And Does It Hurt?

For most pets the microchip is implanted underneath the skin at the scruff of then neck, in between the shoulder blades. The process uses a needle and is a quick, simple and painless procedure which will only need to be done once. For horses, the microchip is implanted on the left side of their neck into a thick ligament to ensure that it does not move. Exotic pets such as birds and reptiles may need to be microchipped by a specialist vet, and the area in which the microchip is inserted depends upon the type of pet.

Most pets are awake whilst they are microchipped although some may be chipped whilst already under anaesthetic for another procedure such as neutering/spaying.

Pets can be microchipped from 12 weeks of age and it is recommended that all pet owners have their pets microchipped, even house pets, as there is always a risk of escape, no matter how small. Microchips provide pets with the best chances of being reunited with their owners should they become lost, and they're also helpful in the settlement of owner disputes.

For a fantastic range of pet products, please visit www.netpetshop.co.uk, where we have something for every pet!

Author Bio:
Jackie Sheppard is a veteran in the field of Pet Supplies, She is the brand manager with www.netpetshop.co.uk, UK's one of most trusted online pet supplies store. Netpetshop stocks a selective range of Cat Innovations.