Microchipping has become a very popular and safe way to permanently identify your pet and you as the owner in the unfortunate case that your pet is lost. Microchipping involves placement of a small electronic chip the size and shape of a piece of rice just under the skin in the neck area. A needle is used to inject the chip. The injection is comparable to a regular vaccine injection.
If your pet becomes lost they may be brought to the nearest veterinary clinic, to a rescue society or animal control, who will be able to scan your pet for a chip and contact you. Providing you have registered your name and address with the microchip company they will be able to contact you or your veterinarian and return your pet to you. If you have not registered your pet yourself the microchip will be traced back to the issuing clinic or agency who may or may not be able to contact you so please be sure to register as soon as possible.
We advise you to use this system of identification as well as a collar identification system on your pet.
It is very important to keep your contact information current with your pet's microchipping company. There are many different microchipping companies but here at Pinellas Animal Hospital we use PetLink. Included in your pet's microchipping is a registration of your current contact information. Click below for more information on PetLink or to change your PetLink microchip's current contact information.
If you are not sure which company your pet's microchip is registered to, AAHA has set up a Universal Microchip Lookup Tool. Have your pet's microchip number ready and click the link above. Just enter the microchip number and AAHA will give you the microchip company's name and number.
