Microchip your Pet

In 2009, a comprehensive study of pets with microchips was conducted by Linda Lord at the Ohio State Department of Veterinary Medicine.*  The study shows pet with microchips are up to 20 times more likely to be reunited with their owners.  Further, the study highlights the importance of using a universal microchip scanner properly.

Scan a microchip during every check up

Even if you don’t think it has a microchip, you might be surprised.  Some pet owners don’t even know their pet has one!  And if the pet doesn’t have a microchip, you can offer to implant one during their visit that day.

For pets with a microchip, you can double-check the microchip has not shifted and all is still working properly.  It is also a good opportunity to remind pet owners to check their enrollment information.  Many pet’s microchips are not enrolled or the pet owner contact information is out of date.

How to Scan for a Pet’s Microchip

Before you begin scanning a pet, commit up to two minutes to find a pet’s microchip.  Battery power and/or scanning technique can also impact how easily a microchip is detected so patience and practice are important.  It is also important to verify with your scanner manufacturer that your microchip scanner can read all frequencies of microchips currently sold in the US:  134.2 kHz (ISO), 128 kHz and 125 kHz to ensure every pet with a microchip has a chance of being reunited.

Start scanning slowly between the pet’s shoulder blades, going side-to-side in an “S” shaped pattern for ten seconds.  If no chip is detected, rotated the scanner 90 degrees and scan again between the pets shoulder blades.

If the microchip is not detected, there is a very small chance it may have shifted in the pet.  Using the same “S” shaped pattern:

  • Start at the pet’s head, and slowly scan side-to-side all the way to the pet’s tail, making several passes over each area.
  • Then, slowly scan down the sides of the pet‘s leg, across its neck, along and under its chest and behind its front legs.

Double-check your work.  Studies have shown that by holding the scanner at a different angle or asking another operator to scan a pet, you may find a chip that was initially missed.  Importantly, if you are an animal sheltering organization, please continue to scan the pet for a microchip while it is under your care.  Scan the pet at intake, during medical examination, at adoption and always before euthanasia.  It can save a life.

Once a microchip is detected, go to www.petmicrochiplookup.org.  This free online resource can help direct you to the pet recovery service with the pet owner’s contact information.

Good to know!

Where you scan a pet is important to avoid scanner interference.  It should be away from computers, metal tables and fluourescent lighting.  Any metal collars should also be removed prior to scanning a pet.

Having a regular battery change schedule and ensuring use of the same brand of new, high quality batteries, like Energizer, will keep your scanner’s read range optimal.

Knowledge of where the scanner’s antenna reads microchip.  All models are different .

    • The AKC Reunite ProScan reads microchips on the sides of the circle (at 9 o’clock and 3 o’clock), when you hold the scanner parallel to the pet.
    • The AKC Reunite QuickScan 650 should be held perpendicular to the pet, with the antenna being in the red sensor area.

*  Lord LK. The Microchip World: Recent Advances and Options for Shelters and Veterinarians. Columbus, OH: Ohio State University Dept. of Veterinary Preventive Medicine; 2009. Available at: http://vet.osu.edu/assets/pdf/depts/prevMed/research/Microchipping.pdf.   Last viewed August 14, 2013.