Up to 8 million dogs are lost each year and unfortunately, 15% to 20% of them are reunited with their family. Most of the time, they end up in shelters to be adopted. However, reality is that some of them can end up being euthanized. This tragic situation could have been avoided if your dogs have identifications at all times. Dog tags and collars are a start but they won’t suffice. This is because these easily fall off. One way to increase the chances of finding your dogs is through microchip.
A microchip is a permanent method of electric identification. Veterinarians use needle to place the little chips under the animals’ skin. It is implanted just under the skin of a pet between its shoulder blades at the back of its neck. Every chip has a unique number that can be picked up by microchip scanner. This number is registered on a database with the pet and owner details. This can be done to plenty of animals such as dogs, cats, and ferrets to name some.
How Does It Work?
Pet microchips use Radio Frequency Identification Technology (RFID) where it stores data. RFID uses electromagnetic forces to communicate data for interpretation and for power. An actual silicon chips hold important information such as the unique identification number of the pet. This information is then picked up by the antenna that is a copper coil. Microchips are designed to last a lifetime which is why RFID is passive and does not need internal power source or replacement. To energize microchips, a scanner reader is used. Microchips send radio signal to the scanner with the identification number when it is energized. This is then interpreted by the reader and display the information in the LCD screen.
Is there Any Harm?
There are complications related to using microchips but these are rare. That is why it is encouraged to have the process performed by veterinarians. Additionally, cancer cases have been linked to microchips which are also rare compared to dogs with microchips on them. On the other hand, so as to not hurt the dog, microchips are encapsulated with biocompatible device which is not toxic. Some of the microchips even come in cap made of polypropylene polymer to keep the chip from moving around and to hold it in place. This is because some microchips are believed to migrate through the pets’ body.
Dogs are said to be man’s best friend. Hence, losing them is like losing a real and true friend. This being said, it is important to inject your dogs with microchips to increase the chance of being reunited with them once they’re lost.