Do Tattoos and Microchips work?

...or are you wasting your money?

What are microchips?

Microchips are tiny transponders, about the size of a grain of rice, that use radio frequency waves to transmit limited information about your pet. They're implanted just under the skin,, usually right between the shoulder blades. However, in some cases these chips can move around inside the animal and become invisible to the scanner.

Are there different types of chips?

Yes, and that can be a problem. Competing microchip companies use different frequencies to send signals to scanners, and some shelters don’t have universal scanners that can read all the different frequencies.

Many microchip companies now produce universal scanners and provide them to animal shelters and animal control agencies at no or very low cost. If your local shelters don’t have scanners, they can contact some of the major manufacturers to ask about getting one.

How do they work?

Each microchip contains a registration number and the phone number of the registry for the particular brand of chip. A handheld scanner reads the radio frequency of the chip and displays this information. The animal shelter or vet clinic that finds your pet can contact the registry to get your name and phone number on file.

Obviously, you have to hope that the person examining your pet has the correct scanner to read the chip. Also, to be of any use, you must make sure that your details are up to date with the chip registry.

Where can I get my pet microchipped?

Many veterinarians and some animal shelters implant microchips for a small fee. This is done with a large-bore needle and doesn't require anesthesia. But—and this is very important—just getting a microchip isn't enough—you also need to register your pet with the microchip company.

How do I register my pet?

Complete the paperwork that comes with the chip and send it to the registry, or do it online if that option is available. Some companies charge a one-time registration fee while others charge an annual fee. You’ll also receive a tag for your pet’s collar with the chip number and registry phone number.

How long do microchips last?

Microchips are designed to work for 25 years.

Are there different registries?

Yes, and that, too, used to be problematic. Different chip companies maintained separate databases. Now, some chip companies will register pets with any brand of chip Also, the American Microchip Advisory Council is working to develop a network of the registry databases to streamline the return of pets to their families. Be sure to research this before you buy a particular brand of chip.

Can a microchip replace my pet's collar and tags?

Despite advances in universal scanners and registry procedures, microchips aren't foolproof, and you shouldn't rely on them exclusively to protect your pet. Universal scanners can detect a competing company's chip, but they may not be able to read the data. And if shelter or vet clinic personnel don’t use the scanner properly, they may fail to detect a chip.

Remember too, this is a “last line of defense” for your pet. A microchip will not help to any member of the general public to return your pet as they cannot access your details without a scanner. They will not know that your pet is chipped and may assume that they have simply found an unwanted stray.

What if I move?

You need to contact the company that registers the chip to update your information; otherwise, the chip will be useless to anyone. You may be charged a small fee to process the update.

What do I do if I adopt a pet who's already been microchipped?

If you know what brand of chip your pet has, contact the corresponding registry to update the information. If you don’t know what type of chip your pet has, find a vet or animal shelter that can read it.

Considering a tattoo for your pet?

Tattooing, unlike a microchip, can be a visible form of ID (usually on the animal’s ear or inner thigh). However, just like a microchip, the problem is that to make the tattoo work you must keep your details up to date with the registry of the tattoo company that you choose. As with a microchip, that means remembering to do this if you move or change your contact numbers.

Consider also that the tattoo means absolutely nothing to a member of the public who may find your pet, and to locate you someone will have to take your animal to an appropriate clinic or vet who can track the tattoo number back to you.

If you do decide that a tattoo is right for your pet, keep a watch on it as over time tattoos can fade and become unreadable.