Microchipping

Thousands of pets become lost every day, and microchip identification is the one reliable way to reunite these lost pets with their owners. The procedure is safe, easy, inexpensive, and practically painless.

Microchipping is a safe, permanent way to identify your pet in case they  become lost. The microchip itself is about the size of a grain of rice. It contains a tiny metallic bar code surrounded by an inert membrane which makes it non-reactive when it is placed under the skin. The microchip is injected under the skin between the shoulder blades with a hypodermic-type syringe. Although the needle itself is larger than those used for vaccinations, most pets don't seem to notice more than any other injection. Once the chip is in place, it should be there for the life of the pet, and we will register your microchip to ensure your contact information is associated with the bar code number.

If your pet becomes lost, all animal care facilities (shelters, veterinary hospitals, pounds, etc) will scan your pet for a microchip, using a special microchip reader that is simply waved over the skin. These scanners are very reliable and easy to use. Once a microchip is found, a special hotline is called and the lost pet is reported. The pet owner is then called immediately and given the contact information about where to pick up their pet.

Regardless of the type of chip, every pet should have a microchip ID. Some owners think that their pet doesn't need identification because it is always in the house, but in our experience these are the most likely pets to become lost when they get outside by accident. As separation from

your pet can happen all to easily, appropriate identification, ideally permanent identification by use of microchip, is critical. Microchip is also the form of permanent identification needed to qualify for a lifetime license in the state of Pennsylvania. The savings of buying a single lifetime license rather than an annual license will more than cover the cost of the microchip Industry figures claim that 8,000 pets every day are located and returned home because they have a microchip; please protect your pet!