What is microchipping?
Microchipping is the implantation of a rice-grain-sized RFID chip under a pet's skin that stores a unique identification number, readable by scanners at veterinary clinics and shelters to reunite lost animals with their owners.
A microchip is a passive RFID (radio frequency identification) device, roughly the size of a grain of rice, that a veterinarian injects under the skin between a pet's shoulder blades. The chip contains a unique identification number linked to the owner's contact information in a national registry database.
When a lost pet is found and brought to a veterinary clinic, animal shelter, or rescue organization, staff scan the animal with a handheld RFID reader. The scanner activates the chip and displays the ID number on screen. The clinic or shelter then contacts the appropriate pet registry (such as HomeAgain, AKC Reunite, or 24PetWatch) to retrieve the owner's current phone number and address from the registration records.
Unlike collars and tags that can fall off or fade, a microchip provides permanent identification that cannot be lost or removed. It requires no batteries and lasts the life of the pet. Registration must be maintained with current contact information for the system to work effectively. Many Denver-area veterinary providers offer microchipping as a standard procedure, typically during a routine visit or at the same appointment as vaccinations.
Microchipping has become a critical tool in pet recovery, especially for indoor pets that escape and for animals displaced by emergencies.