Microchipping

Chipping animals, also known as microchipping, involves inserting a small microchip under the animal’s skin, most often in the scruff of the neck. Microchips are tiny devices, usually the size of a grain of rice, that carry the animal’s unique identification number.

The chipping process is relatively simple and painless for the animal. The veterinarian injects the microchip using a special needle, similar to an ordinary injection needle. The microchip is placed directly under the skin, and the animal neither feels it nor is aware of its presence once the procedure is over.

The main purpose of microchipping animals is to make it possible to identify them precisely and to link them to their owner. Every microchip has a unique number that is tied to the owner’s and the animal’s details in a database. If an animal goes missing or is found, a veterinarian or the relevant services can read that number with a microchip scanner and contact the owner.

Microchipping is particularly useful for pets such as dogs and cats, but it can also be used in other species, such as rodents, birds and reptiles. It is common practice in many countries and may be required by law or recommended by animal welfare organisations.

It is important to remember that microchipping is only one tool in the process of identifying animals. Keeping the registration in the databases up to date remains just as important, so that the owner can be found quickly when needed.