August 15th is National Check the Chip Day — a perfect reminder for pet parents to get their pets microchipped and make sure their contact information is accurate. We spoke with Dr. Kristin Brunstein, DVM, of Heartland Veterinary Hospital in Edwardsville, Illinois to get expert insight on why microchipping matters and how it works.
General Awareness
Q: What is National Check the Chip Day, and why is it important for pet owners?
A: "National Check the Chip Day is on August 15th and is a day dedicated to reminding pet owners that microchipping is important, and to make sure the information on the microchip is accurate and up to date."
Q: How common is it for microchipped pets to be reunited with their families compared to those without chips?
A: "Dogs are 2–3 times more likely to be reunited with their owners when microchipped and the information is accurate. Cats are upwards of 15–20 times more likely to be reunited with their owners."
Q: What are the biggest misconceptions about microchipping pets?
A: "The most common misconceptions are that a pet doesn’t need one because they have a fenced-in yard or are always on a leash, that the microchip is painful, that cats and dogs are the only pets that can be microchipped, and that once the microchip is done, you don’t have to do anything else again for it."
Microchipping Basics
Q: How does a microchip work, and does it function like a GPS?
A: "A microchip is an RFID transponder. This means it gives off a certain radio frequency that can be picked up by most microchip scanners. Many companies have switched to the 15-digit, 134.2 kHz microchips to be universally readable across the globe. A microchip does NOT function like a GPS and does not contain a tracking device. The only information obtained directly from the microchip is the number, which can then be given to the manufacturer to get the owner’s information."
Q: What is the process of implanting a microchip, and is it painful for pets?
A: "Microchips are quite small — often the size of a grain of rice. Implanting a microchip does not require anesthesia or surgery. It is injected under the skin using a needle, similar to a vaccine, though the needle is slightly larger. While there may be mild discomfort at the time, there is no lasting pain, discomfort, or wound."
Q: At what age should pets be microchipped, and can older pets still be chipped?
A: "A pet can be microchipped at any age. This can be done at a routine veterinary visit or at the time of spay or neuter. A pet is never too old or too young to be microchipped."
Updating Information
Q: How can pet owners check if their contact information on the microchip is current?
A: "If you know your pet’s microchip number and manufacturer, you can call them to update your information. Some companies even have online portals where you can update your info and upload a picture of your pet. If you don’t know your pet’s microchip number or manufacturer, you can contact your veterinary clinic or the place where your pet’s microchip was implanted. They should have this information in your pet’s records. You can also take your pet to a veterinary clinic, humane society, or animal shelter to be scanned for a microchip to get this information, then contact the manufacturer to update your info."
Q: What happens if a microchipped pet is found but the owner’s information isn’t up to date?
A: "If your pet is microchipped but the information is not up to date, it becomes much more difficult to reunite you with your pet. Sometimes, the microchip will lead nowhere, which is the same as not being microchipped at all. Other times, the manufacturer can give information on where the chip was implanted, but this is often unsuccessful since that information will usually be the same as what they already have on file."
Safety & Effectiveness
Q: Are there any health risks associated with microchips?
A: "There are very few health risks associated with microchips. Discomfort and/or mild swelling at the time of implantation is the most common side effect, though still uncommon. More rarely, a microchip can migrate from the original site. It is very important to have a microchip implanted by someone who is trained to do so, to avoid complications and to ensure it is placed in the correct location."
Q: Can a microchip ever fail, and how often should owners have it scanned?
A: "Yes, technically microchips can fail or stop working, though this is rare. More often, the chip has migrated and wasn’t picked up by the scanner. To ensure your pet’s chip is working, have your veterinary office scan it at their annual exam. This is also a great reminder to update your contact information if anything has changed in the past year."
Local Community Impact
Q: How often do you see pets reunited with their owners because of microchips here in our area?
A: "Quite often we see pets that were found, taken somewhere to be scanned, and the owner notified. Or a pet is picked up and brought into animal control where they can scan the microchip and the owner is able to bring their pet home safely. The humane society and animal control play a big role in scanning microchips and reuniting pets with their owners."
Q: What advice would you give to pet owners who haven’t microchipped their pets yet?
A: "I would highly encourage all pet parents to microchip their pets — cats, dogs, horses, rabbits, birds, or ferrets. Accidents happen and pets escape. Microchips help get these pets back home safely. If you are worried or concerned about it, give your veterinarian a phone call or send them an email. We are here and happy to help you! We want your pets safe and at home with you."
Q: Where can pet owners go locally to get their pet’s microchip checked or updated?
A: "Locally, pet owners can go to any veterinary clinic, humane society, or animal control to have a microchip scanned. Once you have the number, it can be looked up by the place that scanned the chip or at Pet Microchip Lookup. This website can tell you the manufacturer of the microchip and provide a contact number for reporting a found pet."
Heartwarming Success Stories
Q: Do you have any success stories of pets being reunited thanks to a microchip?
A: "I had a close friend who lost one of her cats and was reunited with him. She had a catio that allowed them to go outside whenever they wanted. It was well reinforced, and they hadn’t had any escape issues until she came home one day and found two of the three cats outside. They searched for Stanley for days with no luck, posted around the neighborhood, and even reported him missing. After a few weeks, they gave up. Three years later, she received a call from Home Again (the microchip company) saying Stanley had been found and scanned for a microchip. He was found only one mile from their previous home! They had moved to a different state, but the people who found him held onto him until she could travel back and bring him home."
"I also had a client bring in a recently found dog. We scanned him and he had a microchip! We contacted his family and learned his owner was not in great health and the family needed to find him a new home. Thankfully, my clients were happy and willing to keep him. While he wasn’t reunited with his original owner, the microchip helped us connect with the family, and he found a loving home where his previous family knew he would be well cared for."