Microchipping

Every year thousands of animals end up in shelters and humane societies. Some of those animals are likely pets who didn’t have permanent identification. ID tags and collars aren’t always reliable as they can be removed. This can result in you being separated from your pet indefinitely. To prevent this from happening microchips are used as a permanent form of identification for pets. At NVVH we’ve seen many benefits of microchipping pets, which is why we encourage the procedure. To learn more about microchipping, please give us a call at 705-434-2226, someone from our client care team will be happy to answer all your questions.

Can a microchip tell my pet’s exact location?

No, microchips don’t work like GPS. Here’s how it works, a veterinarian inserts a microchip under your pet’s skin. The microchip has an ID number that can only be read with a special scanner. Pet owners upload their contact information to the microchip manufacturer’s registry which is how you will be contacted when your pet is found.

Are microchip implantations painful?

No, your pet won’t feel much pain. At most your pet will feel a pinch like when they are getting an injection. The chip is very small, like a rice grain, which means that it can be implanted easily without any numbing or anesthesia. To save time many pet owners opt to have the implantation done when their pet comes in for other procedures like dental cleanings.

Do microchips wear out or need to be replaced?

No, microchips don’t ever need to be replaced. The chip is made from materials that are durable and designed to last for an entire lifetime. They also do not need batteries.

Do all shelters scan for a microchip?

Yes, they do! When your pet is brought into a shelter or veterinary office they are always checked for a microchip with a special scanner.