Veterinary team members should be informed of these rules to avoid making a mistake that could jeopardize client confidentiality. Hospitals cannot divulge confidential client information -even to law enforcement- without a subpoena.
Often, when pets are microchipped, they are implanted at rescues, from breeders, from shelters, or at a veterinary office. This can happen at any stage of a pet’s life. It is then up to the owner of the pet to register the pet’s chip. With some better microchip systems, the registration integrates with the veterinary or shelter software system, and registration is automatic. But, after that it is the owner’s responsibility to transfer the chip to the new owner if they give the dog away or sell it. Any microchip provider will tell you that getting owners to follow through 100% of the time on up-to-date registration information is the biggest challenge they face. I personally moved and forgot to update my pet’s new address in the database. Fortunately, I worked at a veterinary office at the time so I probably could have still been reunited with Rocky had he been lost. Microchips do help build a case for ownership, but alone are not enough.
But what happens when a person finds your pet and wants to keep it…Even if it is microchipped?
Most of you would say, “Well, that is too bad, it’s my dog and the microchip proves it.” Guess what? You would be WRONG!
So, scan every patient during visits to make sure the chip is still viable and in proper placement, but do not step over the legal line when attempting a reunion with found pets.
A: You dont need to be concerned about your privacy. The information you provide to the manufacturers microchip registry will be used to contact you in the event your pet is found and their microchip is scanned. In most cases, you can choose to opt in or opt out of other communications (such as newsletters or advertisements) from the manufacturer. The only information about you contained in the database is the information that you choose to provide when you register the chip or update your information. There are protections in place so that a random person cant just look up an owners identification.
A: There is no federal or state regulation of microchip standards in the U.S., and different manufacturers are able to produce and patent different microchip technologies with different frequencies. Because of market competition, animal shelters and veterinary clinics are able to choose from several microchip manufacturers and scanners. Microchip scanners are relatively expensive, and it is often cost prohibitive keep one or more of each type of microchip scanner.
A: There have been reports that mice and rats developed cancer associated with implanted microchips. However, the majority of these mice and rats were being used for cancer studies when the tumors were found, and the rat and mice strains used in the studies are known to be more likely to develop cancer. Tumors associated with microchips in two dogs and two cats have been reported, but in at least one dog and one cat the tumor could not be directly linked to the microchip itself (and may have been caused by something else).
A: Once your pet is microchipped, there are only three things you need to do: 1) make sure the microchip is registered; 2) ask your veterinarian to scan your pets microchip at least once per year to make sure the microchip is still functioning and can be detected; and 3) keep your registration information up-to-date.
To remind pet owners to check and update their information, AAHA and the AVMA have established August 15 as “Check the Chip Day.” Take a few minutes to check your information and update it if necessary, and you can rest easy that youve improved your chances of getting your pet back if its lost or stolen.
Believe it or not, it’s entirely legal and possible to have a pet microchip implanted by someone other than a veterinarian. While it isn’t required, it’s highly recommended to have your pet’s microchip implanted by a veterinarian, at a pet hospital, or through other animal health services. This can ensure the chip is implanted as safely and quickly.
Keeping your pet microchipped can be essential to having them safely returned to you if they’re ever lost. If your pet is in need of a microchip, bring them to your local veterinarian or emergency animal hospital today to have one implanted. Avoid these common microchip mistakes to keep your pet happy, healthy, and safe with you and your family.
Not all pet microchips are created equal. While most can be picked up and read using a universal scanner, there are some types of microchips that can’t be read by an average scanner. This means that if your pet gets found and is taken to an emergency animal hospital or shelter, it’s possible that these chips won’t get properly scanned, and you won’t be notified. Ask at your local animal hospital to see what microchip brands are most common in your area; these brands will be more likely to be useful if the need ever arises.
Many pet owners wanting the very best for their pets often look to get them microchipped. When done properly, this can make sure your pet makes it home safe if they ever manage to get out. However, not everyone goes about microchipping their pet the right way, and this can leave those microchips useless and even harmful to your pet. If you’ve been considering using a pet microchip to help keep your pet safe, avoid these common mistakes to keep your pet happy and healthy.
The first, and most obvious, mistake that pet owners make when it comes to microchipping their pet is not having them chipped at all. Countless dogs, cats, and other animals go missing on a daily basis. And, unfortunately, only a small percentage of those pets are found. Having a pet microchip can increase the chances of finding a lost pet and getting them home to you and your family safe.
Vet warns pet owners about microchip migrates
Many pet owners wanting the very best for their pets often look to get them microchipped. When done properly, this can make sure your pet makes it home safe if they ever manage to get out. However, not everyone goes about microchipping their pet the right way, and this can leave those microchips useless and even harmful to your pet. If you’ve been considering using a pet microchip to help keep your pet safe, avoid these common mistakes to keep your pet happy and healthy.