Frequently Asked Questions About Microchipping
How big is the microchip?
The chip itself is only the size of a grain of rice. The needle, therefore, is
larger than the standard needle they would get with their annual shots.
Does it hurt them?
It pinches. Most of them react to the pressure they feel from the insertion of
the chip. It is very quick. Some pets will act as if nothing is going on;
others will show you just how great their drama skills can be. We haven't yet
felt the need to muzzle anyone. Our volunteer staff have inserted chips in hundreds of
kittens and puppies, small breed and large breed dogs. Usually, the pet parent
is understandably nervous and the pet is surprisingly blase about the whole
thing.
Where do you put the chip?
The chip is inserted between the shoulder blades just underneath the skin.
Does it GPS them, so you can see where they are?
No, this isn't Lojack. The chip is essentially a bar code, much like what you
see on products you purchase when grocery shopping. The scanners read the chips
like the scanners at the grocery check outs. So someone must find the pet and
take it somewhere to have it scanned for a chip. Animal Outreach has a
universal scanner and have already been asked to scan found pets.
What information does it carry?
The chip itself does not carry any information other than the barcode. An ID
number displays when the chip is scanned by a microchip reader. The person
scanning calls a registry database with the ID number to get the owner's
information (there are several registries: HomeAgain, AVID, 24PetWatch,
PetLink). The owner is then called to be reunited with their pet.
How do I register my information?
Animal Outreach submits registration forms from its clinics directly to 24PetWatch. The information on
the form includes the owner's name, address, three phone numbers, the pet's
name, date of birth, breed, age, sex, spay/neuter status, date of last rabies vaccination,
special medical needs, veterinarian's information, and an alternate emergency
contact name and number. At the time your pet is microchipped at one of our
clinics, you will receive a tear sheet with information and 24PetWatch's website. You have
the option to beat us to the punch and register your pet that same day online for free. Once your pet is registered, you may use 24PetWatch's
online tools, such as uploading a photo or adding additional information.
What do I do if I move or change my number?
24PetWatch does not charge you
to change your informationwhen done online or by phone. This is the only way a microchip will truly work
for your pet. When you have a change, you may login online and update it
yourself or call their 800 number.
Why does Animal Outreach charge $20 for this service?
Our founder started doing the microchip clinics over two years ago because she
found people were not doing them through their vets, mainly because of the
cost. The
normal cost for microchipping can be as high as $50, with an additional
fee for registering the chip with a national database AND an annual maintenance fee. 24PetWatch is a program designed
for shelters, rescues and animal welfare organizations to make microchipping
pets affordable and keep them from euthanasia. We do the clinics as a public
service; we try to keep them as affordable as possible. While we charge the initial $20, there is no registration fee, no update fee, and no maintenance fees. $20 covers your pet for his lifetime!
My pet never goes out of the house, so why should I do this?
Maybe your pet always lives indoors, but what happens in the event you have a
sitter or friend that accidentally lets your pet out? Or how about if we have to
do a fire evacuation and your pet gets away? The microchip provides a
permanent identification that will help your pet to be reunited with you, even
if she travels
thousands of miles away from home.
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