Cost of Microchipping a Pet: Insights from Brittany Chrusciel
Microchips, tiny devices about the size of a grain of rice, are becoming increasingly common for pet owners to ensure their furry friends' safe return home if they ever get lost. Here's everything you need to know about microchipping your pet.
Firstly, it's crucial to register your pet's microchip and keep the information up-to-date. This is essential for easy reunification in case of a loss. The registration of a microchip may or may not be included in the procedure cost, depending on the provider. Some registries do charge a one-time registration fee or even an annual fee to maintain your pet's place in the system, but many registries offer free registration.
August 15 is marked as Check the Chip Day, a perfect time to double-check that your cat or dog’s microchip is present, functioning, and up-to-date. You can ask your vet to scan your pet at their annual vet visit to ensure the chip is working and your information is current.
The cost of microchipping a cat or dog typically ranges between $25 to $50, according to the American Animal Hospital Association (AAHA). If price is an issue, seek out lower-cost providers such as local shelters, nonprofit or low-cost clinics, adoption events, National Microchip Month, and National Check the Chip Day.
Veterinary clinics may charge more but may bundle the microchipping procedure with other services like a physical exam. Some shelters and low-cost clinics may offer microchipping for free.
Microchips have a unique number that is stored in a secure database after registration. A universal scanner can read the microchip number, allowing authorities to look up the pet's registration information. The AAHA now offers the Microchip Registry Lookup Tool, a centralized, online microchip lookup that can search registration information across various databases.
Microchipping pets is recommended by veterinarians and animal welfare groups worldwide. Among shelter dogs, microchipped dogs are more than twice as likely to be returned home than non-chipped dogs. This trend is also visible among cats, with 40% of microchipped cats being reunited with their families, while less than 1% of unchipped felines were.
When traveling with your pet, check microchip requirements beforehand as most countries require standardized microchips with 15 numbers that can be read by microchip scanners worldwide.
Most pet insurance plans don't cover microchipping costs, but some plans may include microchipping as part of a wellness program for a monthly fee.
In conclusion, microchipping your pet is an affordable, simple, and effective way to increase the chances of reuniting with your furry friend if they ever get lost. By registering your pet's microchip and keeping the information up-to-date, you can provide peace of mind and ensure a happy ending for both you and your pet.
Pet insurance plans often do not cover microchipping costs, but some plans may include microchipping as a part of a health-and-wellness or wellness program for a monthly fee. Regular pet wellness, including fitness-and-exercise routines, combined with a microchipped pet, can significantly increase the chances of safe and swift returns if pets get lost.
