Microchipping

You don’t want to imagine it, but it’s very possible that you can be separated from your pet. With a microchip, you can be reunited with your pet even if they have been missing for several years. At our hospital, we regularly perform this procedure as it is an important part of your pet recovery plan.

What’s the difference between a microchip and ID tags?

Though microchips and ID tags are used to identify your pet, they have a few differences. Microchips are not visible to the eye and need to be read by a special barcode scanner, for this reason, we recommend it as a secondary form of identification. ID tags work well but they can get detached from your pet or become damaged. In contrast, one microchip can last all throughout your pet’s life. Once a microchip is implanted, it does not need any repair or replacement. To make an appointment to have your pet microchipped, please call us at 416-489-8387.

Can a microchip locate my pet?

A common misconception is that microchips work like GPS technology. A microchip cannot locate your pet’s location, rather it is scanned to get your contact information as well as details about your pet.

How do microchips work?

We perform a short procedure to insert the microchip between your pet’s neck and shoulder blade. The chip is as small as a rice grain. Each chip has an ID number that is linked to the manufacturer’s database and your contact information is uploaded under your pet’s ID number. When a lost pet is found and brought to a shelter/clinic, a special barcode reader will be used to locate the chip. If your pet was microchipped then the information in the database will be used to contact you.