Microchips – Effective and Permanent Identification
A nightmare for any dog owner: their beloved pup runs off or vanishes and they are left with nothing but thoughts of the worst-case scenario. Luckily there are microchips available, and nowadays, most dogs have one. There are several ways in which dog owners can identify their dogs and, hopefully, get them returned to them should they ever go missing. The first is a collar with an identification tab (tag?) or license. The second is a tattoo usually applied by the breeder before selling the dog and the third, and most recommended, is a microchip.
What is a microchip?
More and more countries continue to use the microchip as a method of identifying dogs. The microchip is only the size of a grain of rice, but when scanned reveals the owner’s contact information thus helping facilitate the dog’s return to its owners and perhaps saving its life should medication or special care of the dog be needed.
Why microchip?
The Canadian Kennel Club, as a registering body here in Canada, requires each purebred dog registered to be permanently identified with either an ISO microchip
approved by the National Companion Animal Coalition or a tattoo to record dogs in the country as mandated under the Animal Pedigree Act.
Veterinary and animal welfare organizations agree that the permanent identification along with the peace of mind it gives owners makes microchipping the best way to reconnect pets with their owners. Microchipping also saves shelters money that would be allocated to feeding, housing and efforts trying to connect an unidentified animal with its owners.
Every dog imported into Canada, under the Government of Canada’s animal importation rules, must have an International Standards Organization (ISO) approved microchip.
How and when do you get a dog microchipped?
The tiny microchip is inserted between the shoulder blades of the dog. It can be done at any age but usually 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 be read by passing a handheld scanning wand over the dog’s back.
Doesn’t collar with a tag do the same thing?
Although many owners use both a collar with identification and a microchip. While a collar with a tag might offer immediate contact information, the microchip offers superior protection as collars can fall off, break, or be taken off and information on tags can fade. Microchipping and tattooing both require a database to connect the dog with its owners, but tattoos (which are usually applied to the dog’s ear or inner thigh) tend to fade, rendering 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 the event is 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 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 must contact the breeder and the Canadian Kennel Club toll-free at 1-855-364-7252 and 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 find the dog’s file and update it.
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 for the life of the animal and there is not a renewal fee. 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. Dogs are much more likely to be returned to their owners when microchipped, 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. In rare cases a microchip can 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.