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 carries a unique number that can be 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 then scan your pet for a microchip and contact you via the database.

Your pet cat or dog should be microchipped prior to you purchasing or adopting your pet but if he or she is not microchipped, the best advice is to make an appointment with your Community Pet Clinic vet who will do it for you. Some local councils and animal welfare organisations also offer this service.

Microchipping is very quick and very safe, causing little discomfort. Some puppies and kittens may flinch or yelp as the chip is implanted, however the pain is minimal and short-lived.

Microchipping is very important for reuniting 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.

It is very important to keep your contact details up to date on the database so that you will still be contactable if you move house or change your phone number. If a pet is transferred to a new owner, the new owner must ensure that their contact details are recorded on the database.

The database system used at the Jollyes Community Pet Clinic is serviced by UK PETtrac Database. If you are an owner of a pet that had their microchipping done at our Pet Clinic then this is the site to visit to update / change microchipping information.