Microchip Pet Identification

Microchipping has become a very popular and safe way to permanently identify correct ownership of lost pets. The "microchip" uses what is known as RFID (Radio Frequency IDentification) technology to provide your dog or cat with an identification that will virtually never wear out.

Microchipping is quick and easy. There is no need for sedation, and the procedure takes less than a minute. In fact, filling out the paperwork takes longer to complete!

The actual RFID device is just the size and shape of a grain of rice. We'll use a large gauge syringe to inject the chip under the skin in the neck area. The injection is comparable to a regular vaccine injection.

It's now standard procedure at Humane Societies and Toronto Animal Services to "scan" incoming pets for microchips.  If your pet is ever picked up by Toronto Animal Services, they will pass a large wand over your pet's shoulder area. This "scanner" wand will activate the chip to make it transmit your pet's information into the scanner. A digital display on the scanner will show a unique code which identifies your pet. 

We strongly advise you to microchip your pet. Unlike a collar, this ID system can never fall off or wear out, or become illegible. At St. Clair Veterinary, we have had great success in reuniting owners with their pets. Typically, another pet lover will find a stray pet and bring it to us. We will scan the pet and look up the number in our own database. If it isn't "one of ours", we'll contact the microchip company to get the owner information. 

Before you book the appointment for microchipping, please think about who will be your emergency contact. When we register a microchip to your pet, we also require an emergency contact name and phone number. Having this information ahead of your appointment can save you time in registering.