According to a study, more than 10 million pets go missing annually.
But, in a study by the Journal of the American Veterinary Medical Association (JAVMA), only 58% of pets were found with registered microchips when it was attempted to locate the owners. It led to missing out on chances to reunite the owners with their lost pets.
However, you don’t have to go through any trauma if your dog runs away. You can follow the steps given in this article to find your microchipped dog.
Also, if you haven’t injected your dog with a microchip, I have shared a few instructions on how to get your dog microchipped by a vet.
So without keeping you from getting your dog back, let’s dive into the details!
How Does A Microchip Work?
Microchips are pretty tiny in size and can be implanted within a minute. Implanting the microchip is similar to pet vaccination but with the help of an applicator without anesthetics.
These microchips are already fed with information like an ID number and the contact number of that microchip’s online registry.
So when someone scans the microchip, they will get the ID number and can call the microchip registry for the owner’s contact information.
A microchip is a lifelong investment that lasts until your dog’s life. You can contact the microchip brand’s registry to update the changes regarding your contact information. (However, the updations are chargeable.)
How To Locate Your Dog With A Microchip?
Finding your missing pet dog with the help of a microchip becomes more accessible with the following step-by-step guide.
1. Search the microchip ID Number in the online registry
When you realize your dog is missing, open the microchip brand’s online registry and dial in your dog’s microchip ID number to track it.
However, not all microchip brands provide the tracking feature. Some microchips can be used only to scan the microchip by the person who finds the dog.
2. Wait for the person who finds your dog to Connect with you
Once you have updated your information on the online registry, you just have to wait for a call.
The microchip company will call you when someone finds your dog and connects with the microchip company by scanning the chip. After that, you will get the current location of the dog and can retrieve your dog quickly.
3. Contact local shelters and pet/animal clinics
It will be a great help if you call shelters and vet clinics to enquire if your dog has been taken in. People in places like these have scanners available to identify microchipped pets.
You can spread the word to local shelters and pet clinics in advance by sharing your dog’s photos and microchip ID. This can help the person scanning to identify your dog in case anyone brings it there.
How To Get Your Dog Microchipped?
Getting your dog microchipped is the best thing to invest in if you fear your dog getting lost. It’s pretty affordable, plus it helps get your dog back quickly if the right person finds it.
To Get Your Dog Microchipped, The Following Procedure Is Used:
1. Inject the microchip with the help of a vet
A microchip is installed between the dog’s shoulder blades and should only be performed by a professional vet or an expert.
The microchip should be installed deeply in a proper position. Also, it should be implanted so it can be scanned easily.
This procedure only takes about a few seconds.
2. Get the microchip activation ID
After injecting the microchip into the dog, the vet will give you an activation code. This activation code is essential, and you should take it from the vet.
You can get your activation code by dialing a toll-free contact number via a call from anywhere.
3. Complete the microchip registration
Once your microchip is injected and activated, you’ll need to complete the microchip’s registration. The registration can be completed with the pet owner’s contact information.
You can register online through the microchip’s company website or a to the company. Also, you need to update this information in case of any changes in the database.
The essential information includes the owner’s name, contact, and address. Other details, like your dog’s health and description, are also included in some microchips.
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Final Verdict: How To Find A Lost Dog With A Microchip
Searching for your dog can be quite a task and dreadful for dog parents. But now you know how microchip technology can change your life; you can finally be peaceful and live without fearing losing your dogs.
By completing & updating the registration process, the chances of finding your lost dog are higher. That’s why it’s easy to find your dog with the help of a microchip in a quicker way.
Remember- All you need to do is visit the vet, inject the chip, and complete the registration.
All pet owners should inject it into their pets before it’s too late. It solves half of your worries if your pet has a habit of running away.
So, that’s it, folks! It’s time to end this great topic right here. I hope this article was helpful to you in figuring out how to find your lost dog with a microchip. I would love to hear your story of finding your lost dog; share it in the comments below. Ciao!
FAQs
Generally, you can’t scan a pet microchip with a phone. You will need a proper microchip scanner to scan a dog’s or any other pet’s microchip.
Not all veterinarians have a pet microchip scanner, as it is not their primary job. Pet shelters are usually the people with a microchip scanner.
Yes, removing microchips from a dog or any other pet is challenging to remove a microchip as it needs a surgical procedure.
Pet microchips can be deactivated by contacting their company and applying for deactivation from their database.
