Demystifying Microchipping: What Every Pet Owner Needs to Know

Are you a pet breeder, a prospective pet owner, or even a pet sitter looking to understand the ins and outs of pet microchipping? Here at Peddymark, we're experts in the field and here to demystify the world of pet microchipping for you. From understanding how microchips work to answering common questions, you'll know everything there is to know about microchipping by the end of this post!
 

What is Microchipping?

Microchipping is a form of permanent identification that uses Radio-frequency Identification (RFID) technology, implanted in your pet's body. Unlike traditional tags that can be lost or stolen, this unique ID number is always with your pet, making it a more reliable form of identification.

Quality and Compliance: Our Microchip Standards

At Peddymark, we use microchips manufactured in Europe, ensuring the highest quality product for your pet. Each microchip is pre-packed and sterile, with barcode labelling simplifying the registration process. These microchips are also coated with Parylene, which helps stabilise the microchip after implantation, ensuring long-term reliability. Importantly, our microchips comply with ISO 11784 and ISO 11785 standards, the international benchmarks for microchip technology. To cater to different preferences, we offer microchips in either a syringe or gun-type format for your ease of use. Read more about our technical specifications here.

Getting Your Pet Microchipped

Deciding to microchip your pet is the first step. The next is finding the right place to have it done. The procedure is quick and relatively painless, like a regular vaccination shot. Peddymark can help you locate a DEFRA-approved implanter, or even train you to become one! Otherwise, most veterinary clinics offer this procedure as part of their regular services.

Registering Your Pet's Microchip

After implantation, it's essential to register your pet's unique ID number with a DEFRA-compliant database such as Animal Tracker. This links your contact information to your pet's microchip, enabling quick identification if your pet is found or taken to a facility. Remember to keep this information up to date for the best chance of reuniting with your beloved pet. 

Why Microchipping is Essential

Microchipping serves more purposes than just helping you find your pet if they wander off. It's also a crucial tool for managing their medical records, making it an indispensable resource for every pet owner. Take, for instance, the story of a cat named Whiskey. In 2017, Whiskey was reunited with her owner, Marie Goddard, after an astonishing 11 years - all thanks to her microchip.

And this wasn't a one-off incident. Bea Mumbray experienced a similar joy when she was informed that her cat, Mischief, who had been missing for three years, was safe and sound. The microchip allowed the rescuers to trace Bea and bring about a heartwarming reunion with her cherished pet. These stories highlight the remarkable power of microchipping and its role in reuniting lost pets with their families.

Since 2016, the UK government has made it compulsory to microchip all dogs, and this requirement has recently been extended to cats. This is part of a broader animal welfare plan aiming to reunite lost pets with their owners, thereby improving overall animal welfare. The compliance rate for dogs has already exceeded 90%, and the same expectation is set for cats. You can read more about it here.

Let Peddymark Help You

Ready to get your pet microchipped or still have questions? Contact us at Peddymark, and we'll guide you through the process. Your pet's safety is our priority, and we're committed to providing you with the best service and information!

Key Takeaways

1. Microchipping is a reliable form of pet identification using RFID technology.

2. The procedure is quick, relatively painless, and offered by most veterinary clinics.

3. Registering the microchip links it to your contact details, enabling quick identification if your pet is lost.

4. An ID chip also helps manage your pet's medical records.