Common Questions Answered
Q: What is a microchip?
A: A microchip is a tiny electronic chip—about the size of a grain of rice—implanted just under your pet’s skin. It does not have a battery or GPS. When a scanner is passed over the area, the chip transmits a unique identification number that links your pet to your contact information in a secure database.
Q: How is a microchip implanted? Is it painful?
A: The microchip is placed under the skin using a needle, similar to a routine injection. Most pets tolerate it very well, with minimal discomfort. No surgery or anesthesia is required.
If your pet is already under anesthesia for a procedure such as a spay or neuter, the microchip can be placed at the same time.
Q: Does the microchip track my pet or store medical records?
A: No. Microchips are not GPS devices and cannot track your pet’s location.
The chip itself contains only an ID number. However, some registration databases allow owners to store medical notes or emergency contacts for reference.
Q: Should I worry about privacy or security?
A: No. Your personal information is protected and only accessible to authorized shelters or veterinary clinics when a pet is scanned. You control what information is listed and can update it at any time.
Important: A microchip is only effective if it is registered and kept up to date. Outdated phone numbers are the most common reason pets are not reunited with their owners.
Q: What does “microchip frequency” mean?
A: Microchips operate at specific radio frequencies that scanners use to read them. In the U.S., common frequencies include 125 kHz, 128 kHz, and 134.2 kHz (ISO standard).
Q: What is the ISO standard, and why does it matter?
A: The ISO standard (134.2 kHz) is an internationally recognized microchip frequency.
Pets traveling internationally—or moving between countries—are more easily identified if they have an ISO-standard chip. Many countries require it for entry.
Q: What are universal microchip scanners?
A: Universal (forward- and backward-reading) scanners can detect all microchip frequencies. Most veterinary clinics and shelters—including DAMC—use universal scanners to maximize the chance of detection.
Q: How does a microchip help reunite lost pets with owners?
A: When a lost pet is brought to a shelter or veterinary clinic, one of the first steps is scanning for a microchip. If a chip is found and registered, staff can quickly contact the owner—often within minutes.
Q: Does microchipping really improve return-to-owner rates?
A: Yes—dramatically. Studies show that microchipped dogs are more than twice as likely to be returned to their owners. For cats, the improvement is even greater.
Q: Does a microchip replace collars, ID tags, or rabies tags?
A: No. Microchips are a backup, not a replacement.
Collars with ID and rabies tags allow for immediate identification, while microchips provide permanent identification if a collar is lost or removed.
Q: I adopted a pet. How do I know if it’s microchipped?
A: Many shelters microchip pets before adoption. Your DAMC veterinarian can scan your pet during a routine visit and help you register the chip in your name.
Q: Why should microchips be implanted by a veterinarian?
A: Proper placement is critical. Incorrect implantation can make a chip difficult to detect or cause complications. Veterinarians are trained to place microchips safely and correctly and monitor for rare adverse reactions.
Q: Do microchips need maintenance?
A: Microchips don’t wear out, but your contact information does. DAMC recommends:
- Registering the microchip immediately
- Verifying chip function during annual exams
- Updating your contact info whenever it changes
August 15 is “Check the Chip Day”—a great reminder to review your registration.
Q: Can microchips fail or be missed?
A: Failures are rare, but human error or difficult scanning conditions can occasionally prevent detection. This is why DAMC scans pets thoroughly and uses universal scanners.
Q: Are microchips safe? Do they cause cancer?
A: Microchips are considered very safe. While rare tumors have been reported in laboratory rodents used for cancer research, no causal link has been proven in pets.
The risk is extremely low and far outweighed by the benefit of reuniting lost pets with their families.
Q: Should a microchip ever be removed?
A: No. Removal is not recommended. The procedure is more invasive than implantation and offers no meaningful benefit in most cases.
Q: Where can I have my pet microchipped?
A: Right here at Dunedin Animal Medical Center. Microchipping can usually be done during a routine visit—often the same day.
📞 Call 727-738-2273 to schedule or ask questions.