Microchipping your dog: is it worth it?

Before we start talking about its worthiness, Let’s learn some facts about what is microchipping and what it really does.

Microchipping is a permanent way of identifying your dog. It consists of a tiny computer chip (about the size of a grain of rice) housed in a special type of glass capsule that is compatible with living tissue. It is implanted under the skin between the dog’s shoulder blades with the use of a needle and special syringe.

That sounds interesting, right? But how does it works? Well, let’s think about this: thousands of dogs go missing every year from their homes whether they wander off or they end up being stolen. In most cases they are handed into local shelters, rescue centers, local authorities, or wardens where they stay until their family is found, or they are adopted and moved into a new family home, or, in some cases, euthanized. When arriving at the places mentioned above, it is part of the routine to have the dog ‘scanned’ for the implanted chip. This chip carries a unique serial number which when scanned will provide the matching pet recovery service information (there are many out there, I use Home Again for my furry babies). These pet recovery service systems provides database that holds information of the lost dog owner registered to it. Now keep in mind that it is very important to always keep your registration up to date with your current address and phone number.

Now you might be asking: how much would this cost me? I got good news for you my friend! It really is an inexpensive procedure. Depending on where you get it done, the cost can vary from between $25 to $50 which is totally worth if you take in consideration that dogs that are microchipped are twice as likely to be returned to their owners when lost than dogs that are not.

So is it worth it? I say yes it is! The piece of mind you will give yourself knowing that if your dog is lost they have a much higher chance of being returned to you is invaluable. You will never regret having it done, but if your dog ever get lost, you will forever regret that you did not.

Laura.