Microchipping
A microchip is a tiny implanted identifier that, when registered and kept up to date, permanently links a lost pet back to its owner.
Also known as: Pet microchip, ID chip
A microchip is a small electronic identifier implanted under a pet's skin that a scanner can read to retrieve a unique number. Linked to a registered database with current owner details, it gives a permanent, non-removable way to reunite lost pets with their families.
What it is
Microchipping is a simple, widely recommended form of permanent pet identification, and understanding how it works explains both its value and its limits.
What it is. A microchip is a tiny device, roughly the size of a grain of rice, implanted under the skin — usually between the shoulder blades — by a veterinarian or trained professional, often during a routine visit. It is passive: it stores a unique identification number and does nothing until a compatible scanner passes over it and reads that number.
How it reunites pets. The number alone is useless without registration. The owner registers the chip number, along with their contact details, in a pet-recovery database. When a lost pet is found and scanned at a shelter or veterinary clinic, staff look up the number and contact the registered owner. That is the whole point of the system.
The crucial catch: keep it updated. A microchip only works if the registered contact details are current. A chip registered to an old phone number or address cannot reunite you with your pet. Owners should register the chip promptly and update the record whenever they move or change numbers.
What a microchip is not. It is not a GPS tracker — it cannot locate a wandering pet in real time; it only helps once the animal is found and scanned. It also does not replace a visible collar and ID tag, which allow a quick reunion without a scanner. In many places microchipping of certain pets is a legal requirement.
Because implantation, registration, and any legal requirements are best handled with professional guidance, treat this as general information and speak with your veterinarian about microchipping your pet.
Worked example
After adopting a dog, an owner has it microchipped at the vet, then immediately registers the chip number with their current phone and address — the step many people forget. Months later they move house and update the record the same week, so the chip can still work if the dog is ever lost and scanned.
Related entries
Sources & further reading
- Microchipping of Animals FAQ — American Veterinary Medical Association (article)
- Microchipping Your Pet — RSPCA (article)