A nightmare for any dog owner: Your beloved
pup runs off or vanishes, and you’re left with nothing but thoughts of the worst-case scenario. Luckily, microchips are available, and nowadays, most dogs have one. Microchips are one of several ways dog owners can identify their dogs, increasing the chances of being reunited should they ever go missing.
The primary methods include:
- A microchip, a CKC-approved form of identification implanted by a veterinarian or the current owner.
- A collar with an identification tag or license.
- A tattoo, often applied by the breeder before selling the dog.
What is a microchip?
Microchips continue to be used by countries worldwide as the standard method of identifying dogs. About the size of a grain of rice, a microchip is injected under the skin and, when scanned, reveals a unique number linked to the dog’s owner’s contact information. This helps facilitate the dog’s return and ensures it receives any special care needed, such as medication.
Why microchip a dog?
The Canadian Kennel Club, as a registering body here in Canada, requires each purebred dog registered to be permanently identified with an ISO microchip
approved by the National Companion Animal Coalition as mandated under the Animal Pedigree Act.
Veterinary and animal welfare organizations agree that microchipping is the best way to provide permanent identification along with peace of mind to pet owners. Microchips also save shelters money that would be allocated to feeding, housing and efforts to connect an unidentified animal with its owners.
According to the
Government of Canada’s animal importation, commercial dogs under eight months of age, imported into Canada, must have an International Standards Organization (ISO) approved microchip.
How and when do you get a dog microchipped?
The tiny microchip is injected under the skin and into the connective tissue of your pet. It can be done at any age but typically occurs when a puppy is still living with its breeder, or when a dog is surrendered to a shelter and needs to be rehomed. Once inserted, the chip can usually be read by passing a handheld scanning wand over the dog’s back.
Doesn’t a collar with a tag do the same thing as a microchip?
While many owners use both a collar with an ID tag and a microchip, a collar offers immediate contact information but lacks the long-term security of a microchip. Collars can fall off, break, or be removed, and information on tags may fade. Microchipping, on the other hand, ensures permanent identification. Tattoos, which are also used as identification, tend to fade over time and are typically placed on the dog’s ear or inner thigh, making them hard to read.
No more invasive than a vaccination
The microchip is inserted using a needle, and the dog requires no anesthetic for the procedure. Many dogs don’t even realize it’s taking place.
Diligently stored records
When the Canadian Kennel Club sells microchips to its members, the CKC records who the microchip was sold to, so that our records will always include the breeder, AKA the purchaser of the microchip. This is another reason why it is crucial for owners to keep in touch with their dog's breeder and update them when they move addresses, change phone numbers or email addresses.
When that breeder registers the dog and transfers ownership to the new owner, the microchip will then be connected to that dog’s file and the recorded owner on file. Should that owner need to update the information on the dog's microchip, they can do so via the CKC Member Portal (if they are set up), or by calling the Canadian Kennel Club toll-free at 1-855-364-7252. The owner can provide the Membership Services team member with the dog's microchip number, along with some other information on the dog as requested, so they can update the dog’s file.
Protection is not limited to purebred dogs
The Canadian Kennel Club also offers the
CanadaChip Recovery, where dogs who are not registered can also be enrolled. There’s no charge to enroll a dog if the microchip was purchased from CKC. If CKC didn’t sell the microchip, there is a $10 (plus tax) fee for the enrollment, which is valid for the life of the animal. Cats and birds can also be enrolled in CanadaChip.
Intricate technology, but a simple and inexpensive procedure
Getting your dog microchipped is a quick, easy, and cost-effective way to keep your dog safe. Microchipped dogs are much more likely to be returned to their owners. It’s a way to prove ownership and give you peace of mind should your dog ever escape. Microchips also help assist with the traceability of dogs as most veterinarians and shelter agencies are equipped to scan for microchips. Microchips are not GPS tracking devices, but they do provide immediate ownership contact information.
It’s important to note that in rare cases, a microchip may migrate away from the site of insertion. If a microchip is not immediately detected, the scanning wand should be passed over the entire body of the lost pet. Owners can ask their vet to confirm the microchip’s placement during annual checkups.
Want to know more about microchipping? Have any questions?
For more detailed information regarding microchipping, please click
here.