Microchipping

Thousands of pets go missing each year even with the most careful and loving pet owners.  Sadly, many of these animals and owners are never reunited.  The simplest way to ensure you find a missing pet is to have it microchipped.

How does microchipping work?

A microchip is a tiny computer chip which has a unique identification number programmed into it.  Smaller than a grain of rice, the chip is inserted under the pet’s skin, usually between the shoulder blades.  The insertion procedure is no more painful than an injection.  Once implanted, the microchip will identify your pet throughout its life – it cannot be lost, altered or intentionally removed.  

How can microchipping help to find my pet?

Each microchip carries it own unique identification number which is entered with the owner’s details on to the national Petlog database.  If a lost or stolen pet is found, a special scanner is passed over the microchip immediately reveals the number.  A simple phone call to Petlog can ascertain the owner’s details and pet and owner can be quickly reunited.  The RSPCA, as well as many other welfare organisations, vets and local authority dog wardens have scanners which can read the microchip’s details.

Which animals can be microchipped and from what age?

Most animals can be microchipped, but it is commonly used on dogs, cats and horses.  Puppies and kittens can be identified anytime from 8-12 weeks old.

How much does it cost?

Prices vary but usually microchipping costs between £25 - £30.

The Stubbington Ark charges only £12.00 per animal which is a small price to pay for peace of mind.

My pet has got a collar and tag so why should it be microchipped?

Legally all dogs must wear a collar with a tag clearly showing the owner’s name and address.

But collars can break and tags can fall off or fade.

Microchips identify a pet forever.

Happy tails – thanks to a microchip

• Together again: A cat missing for 11 months was found 2 miles from its home.

• Reunited:  A cat missing for 5 months, was found 3 miles from its home where it would have had to cross lots of extremely busy roads, including the M27.

• Back home?  A cat who wandered into the garden of an RSPCA Inspector was lost 100 miles from her home.

Still need to be convinced?

When Stubbington Ark volunteer Win Roberts lost her beloved cat Milly in March 2005 she was devastated.  Win said “Milly has always been very friendly and curious so when we noticed her missing we thought the worst had happened.  However, we were comforted by the fact that we had got Milly microchipped so there was a chance that if someone found her dead or alive and taken her to a vet we would eventually be contacted.”      

Following The Ark’s advice when losing a pet, Win immediately alerted neighbours, contacted other rescue centres, radio stations and put posters around her local area but to no avail.             
 

Eight months had passed when in November Win got a call to say a cat had been brought into The Ark, had been scanned for a microchip and Win’s address was displayed. After asking a lot of questions by Win, the story behind Milly’s disappearance began to unravel.  
Win said “Milly had  jumped into a car and was deposited one and a half miles from our home. Milly was then found and looked after outdoors by a lady who then passed Milly on to a friend of hers.  The friend then decided in November that she could no longer look after Milly so brought her to The Stubbington Ark for rehoming.” Win and Milly were soon reunited.       
In conclusion Win said “Of course I was overjoyed at having my lovely Milly back but I do wish people who find stray cats would go straight away to their nearest vet.  The vet will then scan the animal for a microchip.  While I can appreciate that people finding a stray cat think that they are being kind by feeding the animal, please, please, please think of the genuine caring owner who is feeling so distressed about the loss of their beloved pet.  If the lady had decided to keep Milly when it was passed on to her and not brought it to the Ark I would have always been wondering what had happened to her.”