The microchip is a small grain of rice sized glass encapsulated computer chip with an identification number and miniature antenna implanted under the skin.

It is a permanent form of identification. A tiny chip contains the pet’s address and contact information. It is linked to a database, so that the information can be updated. Microchips for pets provide a valuable way for pets to be tracked and their owners to be found.

 

 

Why Microchip?

From Krista Mifflin,
Your Guide to Dogs.

 

Losing a pet can be heartbreaking, and an unsuccessful search even more so. Over the past few decades, different methods of keeping track of our furry friends have been developed. City license tags for local identification and some dogs are tattooed for nationwide identifying.

While very handy, by no means are these options permanent. Collars and tags come off, and tattoos can be altered with ink, or eradicated completely with deep scarring or even, in the case of ear tattoos, cut off totally. That's a scary thought.

Affectionately referred to as "immunizing against homelessness", the fairly new microchipping procedure is no more painful than a vaccination, and carried out the same way. (…)