Microchipping

We use HomeAgain microchips. The chip is about the size of a grain of rice, and we place it with a needle just under the skin at the shoulders. It can be read by any of more than 20,000 participating veterinarians and animal shelters.

It’s quick and relatively painless. For pets over 6 months, we use a local anesthetic to make it even more comfortable, and most of our patients are microchipped during their spay or neuter, so they don’t feel anything.

A microchip can’t get lost like a collar or tags, and it stays with your pet for their entire life. We see microchipped pets find their way home in an hour or less, while pets without one can take a couple of days to be connected back with their owners.

Nearly all veterinarians, emergency clinics, specialists and shelters have microchip scanners and will scan an animal brought to them. The chip ID is searched in HomeAgain’s National Pet Recovery Database, and you’re contacted so you can be reunited. If you move or change your phone number, remember to update your information.

No. Your pet is registered for life with the initial registration fee. An annual HomeAgain membership adds perks, including a free call to Animal Poison Control, alerts to hospitals, shelters and volunteer “Pet Rescuers” within 25 miles if your pet goes missing, and a paid trip home if they’re found more than 500 miles away.

Don’t worry. You can call HomeAgain at 888-466-3242 at any time to pay the annual fee and get the help you need. For more steps to take, see lost pet help.