THE BEST METHOD AVAILABLE TO LOCATE A LOST PET IS THE SCANABLE MICROCHIP. Cost is minimal and the microchips are safe, easy to implant, and very reliable. Every pet, whether it usually goes outside or not, should be microchipped.

 

Microchip identification consists of the placement of a small chip, the size of a grain of rice, under the skin via a hypodermic needle. The needle causes only a small amount of discomfort, much like receiving an annual vaccine. The chip is coated with an inert biomembrane that makes it well accepted by the body. We have seen no side effects of any sort in the many pets that we have microchipped.

 

A special scanner is used to read the chip number with a radio frequency. A bar-coded number, such as 007*764*331, is unique to each animal, and this number is registered to Central Valley Veterinary Hospital. When an animal with a microchip is found, a 24-hour hotline number is contacted, and they give the caller our office phone number so that we can call the owner. Owners also have the option of registering their pet’s number directly with the microchip company; for a one-time fee, all of the animals in a family can be added to a service that directly notifies the owner (or an alternate contact in case you are on vacation) so that your pet can get back home as soon as possible. In most cases the chip is registered thru our clinic (for no extra fee); as long as we have your current address and phone number, our clinic will call the owner immediately when we are notified that one of our microchipped pets has been found.

 

All locals shelters now scan every animal that comes thru their shelter. Scanning for microchips is also standard in all states, and we have located many lost pets that are found out-of-state. Most veterinary clinics also scan every “found” pet.

 

Microchip placement does not require an office call at our clinic. With an appointment, the microchipping can be done with one of our technicians during a brief visit. 

 

 

Microchip identification is the best and safest way to permanently identify your bird so that it may be returned if it is lost. It is particularly important for pets that travel or for dogs and cats that are occasionally left in the care of friends, since these are situations where animals may run away from an unfamiliar situation.