One of the new pet identification system that has improved pet safety is “Micro-chipping”. The old method that was used widely around the world for pet identification was “tattooing”. One of the problems with this method is the similarity of tattoos in different pets which will in turn create confusion. The second thing was that dogs are often reluctant to any stranger touching them. Finding the tattoo in this scenario would create challenges. Microchip implantation in the pet’s body is one of the universally accepted ways of pet identification. If you ever plan on selling dogs to other countries, this is generally a requirement. The microchip is normally implanted at the shoulder blades of the dog. The next important issue that comes is that whether the chip can be misplaced by any means? The answer is as the whole body is scanned during this process the probability of missing the chip is absolutely zero unless the scanner is defective or the chip.
Some of the early implants were associated with dogs developing cancer, but new chip devices have proven much safer. There are two different types of chips. U.S. only and International chips. The later is about twice as expensive, but if you are going to ship dogs outside the country, it’s the only way to go. The scanning process is easy and does not harm the pet at all. There are some cases where some scanners are unable to detect the chip. This is often do to older detectors and newer chips. The opposite is also true with older chips. That is why whenever you are implanting chip to your dog make sure that the vet is using the latest technology. Not all vets can implant international chips. Be sure to ask your vet.
Some of the leading manufacturer of the microchips are AVID and Schering-Plough. Your Vet can tell you which one is right for your dog. Once you have implanted the chip in you dog’s body be sure to register it with a canine association and complete some forms. The minimum age should be at least eight weeks for your pet’s safety. The chip is planted inside the skin and the process is totally harmless. This chip mainly consists of all the details of the dog’s breed and the owner’s details. This process is far more reliable than a collar. Now finding your lost puppy has become much easier.