It is a tiny electronic chip enclosed in a glass cylinder about the size of a grain of rice, and it transmits numbers that can be read when a scanner is passed over the pet’s back. The microchip doesn’t contain a battery on its own; it’s turned on when a scanner is passed over the area, and the radio waves from the scanner activate the chip. The chip sends the identification number to the scanner, and the number appears on the screen. The microchip itself is also referred to as a transponder.
How Do Pet Microchips Work?
Though size can vary, most pet microchips are about the size of a large grain of rice and are designed to be biocompatible so that they can safely be injected into a pet using a syringe. The chips employ passive radio-frequency identification (RFID), which is to say they don’t have a power source of their own and cannot act unless contacted by a scanner. Identification is carried by a coded microchip implanted in the horse’s neck, but similar in size to a grain of rice, encoded as a 15-digit number on an integrated circuit, a type of microchip that has a passive integrated transponder functioning and enclosed by a glass capsule to a small coil of copper wire. With the swipe of the right kind of scanner, the chip sends a low-power radio signal that causes the chip to power up and send its ID number to the scanner through a process known as backscatter communication. That microchip number is displayed on the scanner so veterinarians, shelters, and animal control officers who find your pet can identify the animal and get your contact information if the chip’s been registered.
The microchips are implanted in a biocompatible glass or polymer capsule to avoid reactions and are registered for the animal’s lifetime. The procedure is fast, does not require anesthesia, and is about as painful as having an injection. In dogs and cats, the microchip is usually placed in the area of the shoulder blades, while in horses and birds, specific anatomic regions have been checked for better fixation and less pain for the patient.
How to Register a Microchipped Pet
Registering your microchipped pet is key to returning a lost pet. Once implanted, the special microchip number must be registered to a pet recovery database. This includes uploading the pet’s and owner’s contact information to the registry, which can be operated by the chip manufacturer, distributor, or recovery agency. Most veterinarians and many shelters also arrange this registry at the time of implant. Still, the pet owner will sometimes be responsible for registering the new number online or by phone.
A registration card is included on the tag, acting as proof of ownership and indicating the chip ID and recovery service contact details. Owners should also be sure to update the information promptly if they move or get a new phone number, since outdated information can be an obstacle to a happy reunification. Few registries provide email reminders to help owners keep their contact information up-to-date, even though research suggests that doing so increases the chances of a missing pet returning home.
Best Pet Microchip Scanner
New microchip scanner technology has provided a giant leap forward in identifying a pet both in a timely and reliable manner. Today’s universal scanners work with all the popular chip protocols, such as full-duplex and half-duplex chips in the ISO 11784/11785 standard, and proprietary formats such as AVID and Trovan. Top of the range scanner, including the Avid MiniTracker Pro, Trovan LID-560-Multi, and Datamars Black Label, it is compatible with a wide range of ID Tags and designed for ultra-quick, contactless scanning, ideal for busy shelters and clinics.
Cutting-edge handheld RFID readers that are as sleek as a Smartphone and very easy to use on the shelf, with the possibility of EPC Gen2 and/ or ISO 18000-6C standards, to connect to most Smartphones. This means pet owners and handlers can use a pet’s identity and medical profile from anywhere in the world in real-time, transforming the usefulness of a microchip from just identification into so much more. Service providers must know that not all readers can detect all chip types, especially older scanners, so regularly updating equipment is advised.
How to Change Owner Information on a Pet Microchip
Transferring or changing ownership of a pet’s microchip is a simple yet important process. The new owner will need to contact the registry where the chip is enrolled, provide the chip’s unique ID, and provide proof of ownership, such as a bill of sale or adoption certificate. What happens with the horse Dealer: Many registries require a bill of sale, and the process can frequently be done online or over the phone.
Timely and accurate data is essential, for errors in reporting can delay the return of lost animals and even result in animals being reclaimed by the wrong people. In some places, the registration must travel with the animal (laws may also explicitly restrict the removal of the chip for reasons other than health). A robust system of governance, stable protocols, and a sound system of formal updates and documentation help keep the identification system intact and give substance to animal welfare parties.
Pet Microchips with GPS: Fact vs. Fiction
One of the biggest misconceptions is that pet microchips are equipped with GPS technology, which they are not. Well, standard pet microchips are not GPS-enabled at all. They are passive and contain only a unique identification number; they can only be read by a compatible device when placed against it. Path-tracking in real time would require additional GPS trackers integrated into collars or separate GPS-enabled devices with a satellite or cellular network connection and a power source.
A microchip is an implantable device most commonly used for permanent animal identification, compared to less reliable methods such as collars and tags. Microchips are particularly important because they allow shelters and veterinarians to reunite lost pets with their owners, even though they don’t provide live tracking.
Benefits of Microchipping Your Pet
There are a wide variety of benefits provided by microchips that contribute to animal welfare and responsible pet ownership:
Permanent Pet ID
Microchips give you the best chance of recovery if your pet becomes lost compared to only 10% of lost pets that are returned to their owners; Standard AVID microchips are an excellent, permanent means of pet identification; AVID registered microchips have helped thousands of lost pets return home; Unlike collars that can break or fall off, microchips give you peace of mind that your lost pet will be returned to you safe and sound
Speedy Reunification
Shelters and vet clinics scan dogs for microchips to help lost dogs get home faster. This helps diminish shelter overpopulation and euthanasia rates.
Legal Ownership
Paper registration and chip ID will verify your dog as your property should it be stolen or a dispute arise.
Veterinary/ Medical Support
A simple scan of your pet with a microchip reader will immediately reveal the contact information you provided on the chip. This can be very helpful when offering veterinary care for your pet.
Wildlife and Research
Microchips are an expensive tool for noninvasive wildlife monitoring and data collection to aid in conservation and research
An ’Ear’ for Better Rearing
In agriculture, microchips allow for the tracking of livestock, enhancement of food safety, and tracking and control of diseases with individual animal monitoring.
List of Pet Microchip Companies
Several major manufacturers and registries serve the global pet microchip market, each offering various products and services. Notable companies include:
These companies adhere to international standards such as ISO 11784 and ISO 11785, ensuring broad compatibility and reliable performance. Many also provide integrated recovery services, databases, and advanced features like app connectivity and cloud-based management.
Advantages of Microchipping Pets
Pet microchips have many benefits over traditional identification tags:
- Reliable and Durable: Microchips are permanent, can identify your pet even if the collar comes off, are anti-microbial, and use no battery. A biocompatible glass or polymer package protects the chip so it works throughout the animal’s life.
- Data Collection and Research Microchip: Technology allows for the accurate and safe collection of Fundamental knowledge and information about animal health, movement, and behavior, regardless of the environment in which an animal is kept, benefiting research, conservation, livestock management, and animal health.
- Decrease loss and euthanasia: Microchipped pets have a better chance of being returned to their owners, decreasing the number of animals entering shelters or being euthanized.
- Safety and Traceability: In the food industry, livestock traceability is improved through microchips, thus increasing consumer confidence and food security.
- Low Health Risks: It is rare to have any complications from a microchip implant, with serious ones occurring in one in every million, according to the massive studies done in the UK
- Technology: The microchip has evolved to a mini and glass encapsulation, the MiniPet ID, some with an app built in, and Bluetooth smart connectivity. In a world first, it is accessible remotely, at any time, for you to access your pet’s identity and health records, plus connect to your new smart world.
Market Trends and Regulatory Landscape
The world’s pet microchip market continues to grow positively, thanks to increasing pet adoption, stricter regulations, and pet owners’ knowledge about responsible pet ownership. North America and Europe dominate the overall pet insurance market due to many pet owners and government mandates. Technological innovations like smartphone app connectivity and contactless scanning further enhance the pet owner experience. But obstacles persist, including expensive machinery and a lack of regulations in parts of the world.
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes, microchips are generally safe for pets.
- Size & Material: They are tiny (rice-sized), biocompatible, and inserted under the skin by a vet.
- Risks: Rare complications (e.g., infection, migration, or tumors) occur in <1% of cases.
- Endorsements: Approved by veterinary organizations (AVMA, AAHA) as a safe, permanent ID method.
- Best Practice: Ensure implantation by a licensed professional to minimize risks.
No.
- Most pet microchips use RFID (125–150 kHz), which phones cannot read.
- Exceptions:
- NFC-compatible chips (rare) might be scanned by NFC-enabled smartphones (e.g., newer Android/iPhones).
- Apps like ScanAngel (Android) or PetScanner (iOS) claim limited functionality for NFC chips.
Standard Practice: Use a universal microchip scanner (vets, shelters, or animal control have these).
Check these sources:
- Vet Records: Contact your vet clinic for implantation records.
- Microchip Registry: If registered, search via the registry’s website (e.g., HomeAgain, AKC Reunite).
- Physical Scan: Visit a vet, shelter, or animal hospital to scan the chip (free or low-cost).
Adoption Papers: Microchip numbers are often included in adoption documentation.
Microchip implants are injected subcutaneously through a hypodermic syringe. They are not more painful than a regular injection; however, the needle is larger than those used for injections. No anesthesia or surgery is necessary—the microchip can be implanted during a regular veterinary visit. If your pet is already being anesthetized for another procedure, such as spaying or neutering, the microchip can be implanted while the pet is still under anesthesia.
In this case, no. There is no need to be concerned about privacy issues. The manufacturer's microchip registry will use the details you provide when contacting you when your pet is found and their microchip is scanned. Usually, you can decide if you want to receive or not receive other communications (like newsletters or marketing material) from the manufacturer. The only data regarding you in the database is the data you select to provide when registering the chip or updating information. Security measures are in place to ensure that an ordinary or random person cannot simply access an owner's ID.
If an animal is found, it is usually in a shelter or veterinary clinic. One of the first things the staff does is scan the animal for a microchip. If the staff finds a microchip and its information is accurate, they stand a good chance of finding the owner.
To your vet, of course! Microchipping your pet at your local veterinary clinic is convenient because they have the required equipment. You can also get your pet implanted on the day of your appointment. Sometimes, local shelters or even private companies organize events that provide microchipping services as well.
Just like any system, it has its flaws. While infrequently, microchips might fail and encounter issues that leave them undetectable by scanners. Even the scanners themselves have problems from time to time, though rare. Issues caused by people, such as a technician scanning incorrectly or failing to complete the scan of an animal, can also cause failure to detect a microchip.
Likewise, animals often contribute to the challenges of detecting a microchip. Animals include those that do not remain still for their microchip to be scanned, harbor long matted fur at or close to the microchip site, have excessive fat deposits near the chip implantation area, or wear a collar with a lot of metal on it. These factors can affect the scanning and detection of the microchip.
Yes, both chips will work normally.
