What Are Microchips?
Microchips are small electronic devices that can be implanted under a dog’s skin and used for identification purposes. They utilize RFID (radio frequency identification) technology to store a unique ID number that can be read by a scanner.
The microchips themselves are quite tiny, usually around the size of a grain of rice. They consist of a coil and capacitor surrounded by a glass capsule. They are passive devices, meaning they contain no battery or moving parts. The scanner provides the power necessary to activate the chip and read its ID number.
To implant the microchip in a dog, a veterinarian injects the small glass capsule under the loose skin between the shoulder blades using a specialized syringe. The process is similar to a routine vaccination and takes only a few seconds. Once implanted, the chip remains in place for the dog’s lifetime.
Purpose of Microchipping Dogs
The main purpose of microchipping dogs is to provide a permanent form of identification that can help reunite lost pets with their owners. Unlike collars and tags, which can fall off or be removed, a microchip provides permanent ID that cannot easily be altered or lost (1). Microchips give lost dogs the best chance of getting back home if they become separated from their owners.
Microchips work by being scanned for a unique ID number which can be used to look up the associated owner’s contact information in a registry database. Shelters and veterinary offices routinely scan strays for microchips to identify their owners and get the pets back home. A 2015 study found that microchipped dogs had a return-to-owner rate of over 50%, compared to just 22% for unchipped dogs (1).
In addition to reuniting lost pets, microchips can also help combat pet theft. Microchips provide permanent proof of ownership, making it harder for thieves to claim or sell stolen pets. Laws requiring microchipping also allow officials to identify and return stolen animals to their rightful owners (2).
While microchips are not foolproof, as scanner failure can occasionally occur, they provide the most reliable form of permanent ID for dogs. Microchips help supplement collars and tags, which are more prone to failure, in order to maximize the chances of reuniting owners with their lost pets.
(2) https://www.bergencountyveterinarycenter.com/top-5-benefits-of-pet-microchipping.html
Are Microchips Universal?
Microchips generally follow International Standards Organization (ISO) standards to allow universal scanners to read most microchips (Microchipping 101). However, different microchip companies use different radio frequencies for their microchips. The most common frequencies are 125 kHz, 128 kHz, and 134.2 kHz (Microchip Companies Cite Irreconcilable Frequencies).
While there are some variations between companies, most microchips follow the ISO standards closely enough that universal scanners can still read the vast majority of microchips on the market. So while microchips are not 100% universal across all brands, universal scanners provide very wide compatibility to read chips from most major manufacturers.
Microchipping Process
The microchipping process involves two main steps – insertion of the chip and registration of the chip to the owner. Microchips are inserted by veterinarians using a preloaded syringe. The microchip is injected under the loose skin between the dog’s shoulder blades. This area provides enough space to implant the small chip and minimizes discomfort. The process only takes a few seconds and most dogs do not react at all.
After the microchip is inserted, the veterinarian will scan it to ensure it is working properly. The microchip’s unique identification number will be read by the scanner. This number corresponds to the specific microchip implanted in the dog. The veterinarian will record the microchip number and register it along with the owner’s contact information in a pet recovery database. This ties the microchip to the owner, allowing the dog to be identified if lost and scanned. Owners should ensure their contact information remains up-to-date in the registry by notifying the database company of any changes, such as a new address or phone number.
Overall, microchipping is a quick and relatively painless means of permanently identifying a dog with its owner. Proper registration and maintenance of owner information is critical so that the microchip can effectively reunite lost pets with their families.
Scanning Microchips
Microchips implanted in dogs can be scanned using a microchip scanner to read the unique identification number encoded on the chip (1). There are a few different types of scanners used to read pet microchips:
- Veterinary scanners – Many veterinary clinics keep universal scanners on hand to identify new patients and lost pets brought in. These scanners can read all microchip frequencies used in the US (2).
- Shelter scanners – Animal shelters and rescues use universal scanners to quickly identify stray pets that arrive. Scans help reconnect lost pets with owners (3).
- Breeder scanners – Responsible breeders implant microchips in puppies and use scanners to keep records. Scans also help verify identity when owners bring pets in (1).
- Groomer scanners – Pet groomers may use scanners to identify clients, especially for first-time visits (1).
When scanned from within a few inches, a microchip scanner will display the unique identification number encoded on the dog’s implanted chip. While microchips themselves do not include owners’ contact info, the ID numbers can be used to look up that information in a registry database (2).
Limitations of Microchips
While microchipping dogs provides many benefits, there are some limitations to be aware of:
One is that the pet owner must register the microchip and keep their contact information updated in the database. If the information is not current, the microchip is useless if the dog is lost. According to madisonanimalcare.com, studies show that only 58% of microchipped dogs have their information properly registered.
Another issue is microchip migration – occasionally the chip can move from the original implantation site and become difficult to detect on a scan. According to birdsongpet.com, this occurs in about 2-3% of microchipped pets.
There are also areas with low microchip adoption rates, reducing the chances of reuniting a lost pet with its owner. Only about 1 in 3 pets are microchipped according to the American Humane Society.
Microchipping Laws
Requirements for microchipping dogs vary by state and locality. In many places, microchipping is mandatory for dogs adopted from shelters or rescues. For example, in Los Angeles County, all dogs and cats in city shelters are required to be microchipped prior to adoption [1].
Some states and cities have laws making microchipping mandatory in certain situations. For instance, microchipping may be required to obtain a dog license in some areas [2]. As of 2022, these mandatory microchipping laws exist in Hawaii, Rhode Island, Santa Monica CA, Fremont CA, San Mateo CA, and San Jose CA. Enforcement varies based on the specific ordinance.
While microchipping is not universally required by law, many veterinarians, shelters, and rescue organizations strongly recommend it as a way to reunite lost pets with their owners.
Microchipping Cost
The cost of microchipping a dog typically ranges from $25 to $60 depending on your veterinarian and location. This includes the cost of the microchip itself and the insertion procedure performed by the vet.
According to Forbes, microchipping through your vet usually costs around $50. The microchip itself is relatively inexpensive, but the vet charges a fee for implanting the chip which involves a quick injection under the dog’s skin. This implantation fee is usually around $25-50.
In addition to the cost of insertion, there may be separate registry fees charged by the microchip company to register your details in their database. These fees are often around $15-30. Some companies offer free registration at the time of microchipping.
While microchipping through your vet is the most common option, there are some free and low-cost microchipping events held periodically by animal shelters, humane societies and local pet organizations. These community microchipping events typically charge $10-25 or are sometimes even free.
Microchip Alternatives
While microchipping is the most common permanent identification method for dogs, there are some alternative options that owners may want to consider:
Tattoos can serve as a permanent ID, with the pet’s information tattooed inside the ear or on the belly. Like microchips, tattoos are permanent and can help identify a lost pet. However, the tattooed information is only visible upon close examination and does not transmit as easily as a microchip scan. Tattoos also require manually recording and looking up the ID information.
For real-time location tracking, GPS collars or trackers allow owners to monitor their dog’s whereabouts via an app. This provides an added layer of protection against lost pets, and allows owners to pinpoint their pet’s location at any time. However, GPS trackers are external accessories that may fall off or get removed, so they are not as permanently reliable as microchips or tattoos.
The Future of Dog Microchipping
New technological developments are extending the usefulness and capabilities of microchips for dogs. One key innovation is the creation of extended-life batteries for microchips. As explained on the American Veterinary Medical Association website, “The microchips presently used in pets only contain identification numbers”. Traditional microchips do not have a battery or energy source, relying instead on scanners that energize the chip. However, new batteries can power microchips for the lifespan of a dog, ensuring the chip remains readable even years later.
Integrating microchip technology with GPS and wireless networks is another avenue being explored, as outlined in a Wikipedia article. Rather than just storing a unique ID number, enhanced microchips could continuously broadcast location data. This would allow lost dogs to be tracked and located much more easily. However, there are also privacy and hacking risks associated with broadcasting pet microchip data wirelessly. Overall, while promising, integrated microchip-GPS technologies require further testing and evaluation to be widely adopted.
In the future, standardized databases and registries will likely improve nationwide pet microchip tracking and recovery. Streamlining microchip registration across companies and centralizing the databases could help reconnect more lost dogs with their owners. However, significant coordination between pet microchip manufacturers would be needed to achieve true universal microchips and data systems.