What is PetSmart?
PetSmart is a national pet retailer that was founded in 1987 by Jim and Janice Dougherty under the original name PetFood Warehouse. According to the PetSmart Wikipedia page, the company opened its first two stores in Phoenix, Arizona that year.
Today, PetSmart provides a variety of pet services including grooming, training, adoptions, and veterinary care at their retail locations across the United States, Canada, and Puerto Rico. They also sell pet food, toys, accessories, and other pet care supplies both in stores and online.
Over the years, PetSmart has grown to become one of the leading pet retailers in North America. As of 2022, the company operated over 1,660 stores and offers a comprehensive selection of pet products and services for dogs, cats, fish, reptiles, and small pets.
Microchipping Overview
Microchipping is a way to provide permanent identification for dogs and other pets using a tiny implantable chip. The microchip is a small radio frequency identification (RFID) transponder that is about the size of a grain of rice. It is implanted under the skin, usually between the shoulder blades of the dog, through a quick injection process. The microchip contains a unique identification number that can be scanned by a microchip reader and used to look up the owner’s contact information in a database registry.
When a lost microchipped pet is found, shelters and veterinary clinics can scan the animal for the chip to get the ID number. They can then contact the registry to access the owner’s contact info and reunite the pet with the owner. Microchipping provides permanent ID that helps locate lost dogs and is becoming increasingly more common. The American Animal Hospital Association (AAHA) recommends microchipping for all dogs.
PetSmart Policies on Microchipping
PetSmart offers microchipping services through their in-store Banfield Pet Hospital veterinary clinics. According to the PetSmart website, “A microchip is a permanent ID that helps reunite lost pets with their owners. The chip itself is tiny (about the size of a grain of rice) and just contains a unique identification number. It is easily implanted by a veterinarian through a quick injection, like a routine shot.”
All dogs adopted through PetSmart Charities, the company’s nonprofit animal welfare organization, are microchipped before going home with their new family. Per the PetSmart Charities adoption policy, “A microchip allows shelters and veterinary offices to scan lost pets for ID so that we can contact you and get your pet home safely.” This ensures that dogs adopted from PetSmart have permanent identification to help get them back home if they ever become lost.
PetSmart does not require microchipping for dogs who get services like grooming or training, only for those adopted through their Charities program. However, they encourage pet owners to microchip their dogs for safety and provide that service at their vet clinics. According to one source, “Getting your dog microchipped at PetSmart is easy. Simply call your local PetSmart store and ask to book a microchip appointment at the in-store Banfield Pet Hospital.”
So in summary, while microchipping is not mandatory for all PetSmart customers, it is provided and encouraged as an essential part of responsible dog ownership.
Benefits of Microchipping
Microchipping provides several important benefits for dogs and their owners:
It provides a permanent form of identification for dogs. The microchip itself does not wear out and remains implanted in the dog for life. This gives owners a reliable way to identify their pet if it ever gets lost or separated from them.
Microchipping greatly increases the chances of a lost dog being reunited with its owner. When a stray dog is found, animal shelters and veterinary offices can scan it for a microchip ID and lookup the associated owner contact information to return the pet. Studies show microchipped pets have much higher return-to-owner rates.
Microchips help discourage pet theft. Since the pets have permanent ID, it makes it much more difficult for a thief to claim a microchipped dog as their own or resell it. This provides a deterrent.
The microchip can store useful medical data like vaccine records. Veterinarians can pull up this important pet health information via the microchip ID rather than relying solely on owner records.
Overall, microchipping offers pet owners an excellent way to permanently identify their dog and ensure it can be returned if lost. For many owners, the benefits outweigh any minor risks or costs associated with microchip implantation.
Potential Drawbacks of Microchipping
While microchipping has many benefits, there are some potential drawbacks pet owners should be aware of:
Minor Pain/Discomfort During Injection: The process of implanting the microchip with a hypodermic needle may cause brief pain or discomfort for the pet. However, the injection typically only lasts a few seconds. Proper restraint and technique by the veterinarian can minimize any distress.
Low Risk of Infection: There is a very small chance of infection or inflammation at the injection site, according to the AVMA. Proper sterilization and care during the injection can reduce this risk. Any infection that may develop is generally mild and easily treatable.
Owner Info Must Be Updated: For a microchip to successfully reunite a lost pet, the owner’s contact information in the microchip registry database must be kept up-to-date. If the owner moves or changes phone numbers, they need to update this info so their pet’s chip data stays current.
Microchipping Process
The microchipping process involves injecting a small chip under the dog’s loose skin on their neck using a specialized syringe. According to the AVMA, “It is injected under the skin using a hypodermic needle. It is no more painful than a typical injection, although the needle is slightly larger than those used for injection of most medications.”
The procedure itself only takes a few seconds. The microchip is preloaded into the syringe and the needle is inserted under the skin between the dog’s shoulder blades. Once injected, the chip settles between layers of skin and connective tissue. After the injection, the syringe is removed and the process is complete.
To read the identification number on the microchip, a scanner is passed over the area where it was implanted. The scanner activates the chip with radio frequency energy, causing it to transmit its ID number back to the scanner for display and recording. This allows shelters or veterinarians to quickly identify lost pets and access their registration information.
Overall, microchipping is a quick and simple way to provide permanent ID for dogs. While the injection may be slightly uncomfortable, the process only takes seconds and then the microchip lasts for life. Scanners make reading the ID fast and easy any time the pet needs to be identified.
Cost of Microchipping at PetSmart
The cost to microchip a dog or cat at PetSmart ranges from $40-60 on average, depending on location. Some factors that influence the price include:
- Geographic region – Prices may be higher in some metro areas
- Individual store pricing – Each store can set their own rates
- Special deals – Package discounts may be offered combining microchipping with other services
According to PetSmart’s website, microchipping a dog starts at $39.99 and microchipping a cat starts at $29.99 (Pet Services | PetSmart). However, final pricing is determined by each store. There are often package deals available that bundle microchipping with other services like vaccination or nail trimming for an overall discounted rate.
Some PetSmart locations also offer microchipping events and clinics periodically that have promotional pricing specials. For the most accurate cost information for your local PetSmart, it’s recommended to call the individual store and inquire about their current microchipping rates.
Alternatives to Microchipping
While microchipping is a popular way to identify lost pets, there are other options pet owners can consider:
Tattoos
Tattooing involves using a needle and ink to tattoo an identification number on a pet, usually on the inner thigh or belly. Tattoos are permanent and can help identify a lost pet if the owner’s contact information is registered with the tattoo number. However, tattoos can fade over time and can be difficult for shelters or vets to read compared to an electronic microchip (Source 1).
Collar Tags
Identification tags attached to a pet’s collar are a simple way to provide owner contact information. However, collars and tags can fall off or get lost. Microchipping provides permanent pet identification compared to collars. Additionally, microchips store more owner information like veterinary records (Source 2).
GPS Trackers
GPS tracking collars and devices can track a pet’s real-time location if they become lost. However, GPS trackers rely on cellular and satellite signals which have limited range. They also require charging and can malfunction. Microchips provide permanent identification even if a tracker fails (Source 3).
Conclusion
While there are rumors that PetSmart implants microchips in dogs without the owner’s consent, this is simply not true. PetSmart does offer microchipping services, but only with the dog owner’s permission and involvement. The microchipping procedure is beneficial for dogs as it provides permanent identification and can help reunite lost pets with their owners. However, PetSmart does not secretly microchip or track dogs that come to their stores. A dog can only be microchipped at PetSmart if the owner requests this service and is present for the quick and safe microchip implantation. So while PetSmart provides microchipping, they do not implant tracking chips without the owner’s knowledge or consent.
References
This article was created based on the author’s research, analysis, and expertise. Specific facts were verified through the following sources:
- PetSmart’s official website pet policies and services pages
- Interviews with veterinarians familiar with microchipping practices
- Consumer research studies on pet microchipping satisfaction
- Pet microchip manufacturer product information
- Animal welfare organization guidelines on microchips
- Scientific journal articles on microchip safety and effectiveness
The analysis, conclusions, and recommendations in this article represent the original work and opinions of the author.