A microchip is a small, sterile implant about the size of a grain of rice.  Your veterinarian implants the chip under the skin, in between your pet’s shoulder blades.  This quick procedure is often performed during the time of spaying or neutering but can be performed at a later date while the animal is awake.  Each microchip is assigned a number that can be picked up by a scanner.  In the unfortunate event that your animal goes missing, if brought into a shelter, veterinary hospital or humane society, he or she will be scanned.  The microchip company is contacted and the displayed number will bring up the owner’s and pet’s information which is securely and confidentially kept in their database.  You will then be contacted about your missing pet.  It is important that you remember to update your personal information if ever you move or change phone numbers.  This permanent and tamperproof system ensures that your pet is returned to you as quickly as possible. Veterinary hospitals, Humane Societies, and shelters are equipped with microchip scanners to help identify the pets that may have been lost or stolen.

A story made headlines last year recounting the adventure of a Montreal dog named Pollux who somehow found his way to Kamloops, BC, 4500kms away!  A year after running away, the dog was brought to an SPCA and scanned for a microchip.  The owners were contacted, long after having given up hope of ever seeing Pollux again, and were soon happily reunited.   To read more on this story, go to the following link: http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/british-columbia/story/2011/07/06/bc-montreal-dog-kamloops-journey.html