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Elisabeth Rosario, a Juniper community member who found a lost dog last year, shares some insights she's learned about microchipping our pets. Read on to help prevent your pup from getting lost! You can also find Elisabeth on Instagram @zeldathemostchill.
Last November, I found a lost dog in my neighborhood. He followed me and my dog on a walk, then lingered on my porch for hours, clearly seeking help. I took him in and researched local lost pet protocol. One of the first steps was scanning him for a microchip. Unfortunately, he didn't have one, so I created fliers, notified shelters, and posted him online. No owner has ever come forward, but I found him a new home after a month.
This story isn't unique. Around 10 million pets are reported lost or stolen in the US yearly, and 1 in 3 pets will get lost at some point. Lost pets contribute to overcrowded animal shelters.
Accidents happen, even to beloved pets. Loud noises, broken harnesses or collars, open gates and doors, and skittish behavior can all lead to a pet getting lost.
What’s a microchip and how does it work?
A microchip is a tiny electronic device, about the size of a grain of rice, implanted under your dog’s skin between their shoulder blades by a vet. The chip’s ID number, registered with a national online database, is linked to your contact information.
If your dog is lost and found, a shelter or vet clinic will scan for a microchip using a handheld scanner that is passed over your pet’s shoulder blades. The chip transmits its ID number to the scanner, allowing the registry to quickly get your contact info to reunite you with your pet.
What a microchip is not
A microchip is not a GPS device, so it can’t track your dog's location in real-time. If you want a real-time tracker of your pet’s location, a GPS collar is a great option. (Many Juniper pet parents like the Fi tracking collar option, and you can use code JUNIPER35 for $35 off a subscription of 3 months or more if you're interested in giving it a try.)
Benefits of microchipping your pet
Wearing a secure collar with an ID tag is the first safety precaution for pets. But collars and harnesses can break or be removed — and ID tags can get smudged or forgotten.
I fostered dogs in NYC for years and the protocol there was to affix each dog with two secure collars (a flat collar and martingale collar carabinered together) each with ID tags for added safety. My own dog, a skittish rescue new to Manhattan, once slipped out of her collar while in foster and was lost for a weekend.
Unlike a collar, a microchip is a reliable and permanent way to identify your pet if they get lost or are stolen.
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How to get your dog a microchip
To get a microchip for your pet, take them to your veterinarian’s office. The vet will implant the chip with a needle. It's a pretty quick procedure — about as painful as a routine vaccination. It can be done at a regular vet visit or when your pet is under anesthesia during another procedure if you have any planned.
In Los Angeles, local shelters will implant a microchip for $15. Ask your vet, local shelter, or local Petco’s vet services for pricing near you!
Keep your microchip up-to-date
Once your pet is microchipped, there are only three things you need to do:
- Make sure the microchip is immediately registered online with your contact info (24PetWatch is a free option but there are others available too).
- Ask your veterinarian to scan your pet's microchip at least once a year to ensure it's functioning as intended.
- Keep your registration information up-to-date. If you've moved or your phone number or address has changed, update your microchip registration in the chip manufacturer's database online promptly.
Ultimately: While a microchip isn't a GPS device, it can be an important safety measure for your dog. They can help to reunite you if your pup ever gets lost and found, giving you peace of mind.