If your pet is lost, they are far more likely to be reunited with you if they are microchiped.
 
A microchip is a permanent method of electronic identification. The chip itself is very small – about the size of a grain of rice – and is implanted just under the skin between the shoulder blades at the back of your pet's neck.
 
Each chip has a unique number that is detected using a microchip scanner. The microchip number is recorded on a microchip database registry with details about the animal and owner.
 
Pet owners need to ensure their contact details are recorded on the database against their pet's microchip number. Should your pet stray or become lost, vets, animal shelters and local councils can scan your pet for a microchip and contact you via the database.
 
It is very important to keep your contact details up to date on the database so that if you move house or change your phone number you will still be contactable in the event of your pet becoming lost/straying. If a pet is transferred to a new owner, the new owner must ensure their contact details are recorded on the database.
 
Is microchipping painful?
Microchipping is a quick (only takes a few seconds), safe and simple procedure and causes little discomfort. Some puppies and kittens may flinch or yelp as the chip is implanted, however the pain is minimal and short-lived and most animals will forget about it very quickly. Microchipping is very important for re-uniting lost pets with their owners. Should your pet go missing you are far more likely to be reunited if he or she is microchipped. The benefits of microchipping in terms of identifying a lost animal and reuniting them with their owner far outweigh any minimal, momentary discomfort.
 
When should microchipping be done?
Ideally your pet cat or dog should be microchipped prior to you buying or adopting your pet. This is the only way to effectively trace the origin of the cat/dog. However, if your pet is not yet microchipped, it is recommended that you make an appointment with your vet to have your pet microchipped. 
 
Where can I microchip my pet?
Only authorised microchip implanters are permitted to microchip pets. Vets and animal welfare organisations can microchip pets. Some local councils also organise microchipping days.
 
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