Microchipping - A Smart Way To Keep Track Of Your Cat

Microchipping is one of the most advanced methods to track your cat down in case it goes missing. The process of microchipping involves inserting a tiny computer chip under the cat's skin. Just about as large as a grain of rice, this microchip contains relevant details and contact information that's related to the cat. If the cat happens to get lost, the information stored on the microchip can be 'read' with a microchip scanner and the cat can thus be safely returned to its owner.

Since microchipping costs just about $50 USD in most regions, a majority of cat-owners can easily afford to get their cats fitted with this precautionary measure. On the other hand, if you happen to adopt a cat from an animal shelter, chances are that it might already be microchipped. In that case, you can forgo paying for the cost of microchipping and just remit the registration fee to register the cat's microchip information onto the various databases in the region.

Microchipping - How Does It Work?

Unlike full-fledged surgeries like spaying and neutering, the procedure of microchipping is a relatively minor one that can be completed in a matter of minutes with no adverse reactions. In fact, the procedure is as painless as getting a vaccination shot. During the microchipping procedure, the vet makes a tiny incision on the cat's skin and inserts the microchip. The microchip is usually imbedded in the scruff of the cat's neck.

The microchip on the cat's neck can be read with a special microchip reader that works just like a scanner. When the reader is scanned over the microchip, it receives all the stored information related to the cat like the owner's name, address, telephone number and physical description of the cat. Since the safe return of a lost cat depends on the information on the microchip, it is absolutely vital to update the information.

Pros And Cons Of Microchipping

Studies prove that more than 10 million pets are lost in the United States every year despite precautionary measures like microchipping or using ID tags. Although microchipping ensures that your cat will not lose its unique identifying information, there are certain shortcomings of this method. If the cat gets lost in an area where a microchip scanner is not available, nobody would be able to trace the cat's owner.

Even if a scanner is available, being able to read the information stored in the microchip largely depends on the kind of scanner used. Some scanners that feature a high frequency may not be able to get the information in the microchip. In such a situation, the staff at a shelter would presume that your pet does not have a microchip. Thus, in spite of microchipping, it might be impossible for the shelter to connect the cat to you.

In addition to microchipping your cat, it is best to secure an ID tag and safety collar on the cat. This would ensure that the cat would not end up in a shelter. The ID tag also makes it easier for the finder to trace your address and return the cat to you.