(704) 847-8466
Weddington Animal Hospital
Book Your Appointment
(704) 847-8466
Weddington Animal Hospital
Book Your Appointment

Microchipping Services in Weddington, NC

Do you know what to do if your pet is ever lost? What if you have to suddenly relocate with your pet during an emergency? These are all scenarios we don’t enjoy thinking about, but it is important to be prepared. Approximately ten million pets get lost each year – for pets without identification, 90% of them don’t return home. Microchipping your pet is a great way to help your pet return home to you in case they are ever lost. It is a great peace of mind to know that your pet has the best chance possible to be returned to you in case they ever get lost or escape by having a microchip placed.

What is a Microchip?

A microchip is a form of permanent identification that remains with your pet. Unlike collars, microchips are placed under the skin and can be identified using a microchip scanner. If your pet ever slips or loses their collar, they will still be able to be identified if they have a microchip. This method is a safe, secure way to help your pet be found in case anything were to happen. Microchips can also be used with certain technologies to help with opening pet doors or even allowing them access to specialized pet feeders.
Dog with Dry Nose Matthews Animal Hospital
A microchip is a small device, about the size of a grain of rice, that is placed under your pet’s skin, typically between the shoulder blades. The microchip emits a radiofrequency signal when a microchip scanner is used to deliver a unique identification number to be read by the scanner. This identification number is entered into a database when the chip is placed that allows the pet to be registered and identified with the owner’s address and phone number. Microchips do not require any internal power source and typically last the life of the pet.

If your pet is lost and is brought to a clinic or an animal shelter, they will be scanned for a microchip and their number will be checked using a database.

Microchip Implementation

Microchips are usually placed by a veterinarian. A microchip is placed under the skin using a hypodermic needle, typically between the shoulder blades. This process is typically quick and easy and does not require an anesthetic. Some veterinarians prefer to microchip a pet during a surgical procedure (such as at the time of their spay/neuter) or use a small amount of lidocaine due to the size of the needle required to help minimize the pain of injection. Before and after the microchip is placed, a scanner is used to confirm it is readable and in the proper location. It is important to register your microchip with your information to ensure your pet can be returned to you!

Microchip Effectiveness

While microchips are a very effective way of ensuring your pet is returned to you if they are lost, unfortunately, they are not foolproof.

For a microchip to be successful in returning your pet to you, it is crucial that all steps are followed:

  1. Your pet is brought to a shelter or a veterinary office to be scanned – if you find a stray pet, be sure to bring it to a local shelter or veterinary office to hopefully help it be reunited with its owners.
  2. Your pet’s microchip must be able to be found by a scanner. We recommend having your veterinarian scan your pet’s chip at every annual visit to ensure it is in the proper location and working effectively. We want to make sure your pet is protected effectively in case of an emergency.
  3. Your pet’s microchip must be properly registered with its owner’s current information. For many pets that have a microchip, it is difficult to return them to their owners because the information was never entered into the database or has changed. We strongly recommend ensuring your pet’s microchip information is kept updated and current contact numbers are available to help your pet return to you if it is found. This information can be updated through your microchip’s website.
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Have Your Pet Microchipped at Weddington Animal Hospital

At Weddington Animal Hospital, we strongly recommend microchipping your pets and typically recommend performing this procedure at the time of their spay or neuter. We also offer this procedure as a stand-alone to help your pet be protected. If you find a stray pet, we are able to scan them to help identify if they have a microchip and hopefully reunite them with their owner. If you have any questions or concerns, please feel free to contact us at 704-847-8466, or email us at wah@wahcares.com.

Schedule Your Appointment

We would love the opportunity to meet you and your pet! You can fill out the appointment form and our office team will contact you shortly to schedule an appointment that works best for you.

Here at the Weddington Animal Hospital, we treat your pet like they should be treated, like a member of your family. We take pride in our level of care and customer service and we look forward to having you join our family.

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