The option of microchipping has been considered the most effective way of tracking down lost pets. The procedure is done by most veterinarians today with a hypodermic needle. This hypodermic needle contains a small microchip that contains your pet's permanent identification number. This identification number is entered into a data bank - national or local depending on the brand - and lists the pet's name, owner's name, address, and phone number.

A veterinarian as well as most animal shelters can do the procedure. Animal shelters provide the service for much less than a vet. It can be done in about thirty seconds and does not hurt pets. A microchip ID is a very, very small chip. In fact, it's just about the size of a grain of rice.

There are three companies that dominate the US market for pet microchips- AVID, HomeAgain and 24PetWatch The microchip manufacturer keep the chip numbers that you have purchased and all the necessary information in their databases to be able to traced you in the event that your pet gets lost.

The microchip implanted under the pet's skin reflects the low-frequency radio waves given by the scanner. The unique alphanumeric code is then retrieved, decoded, and displayed in the scanner readout window when the animal is scanned. Scanners can be handheld that have a reading range of about 3 inches and some are larger and more powerful that have reading ranges that vary from 6 to 20 inches.

When a lost pet is found by an animal control officer or is taken to an animal shelter or humane society, the professionals there will scan the animal using a handheld scanner, which will let them know if a microchip has been implanted. If there is indeed an implanted chip, the scanner will read the number and the shelter staff member can call the appropriate registry for the identity of the owner.

If you are living or traveling throughout Europe and other countries except China (it requires a 9-digit chip), a 15-digit microchip made according to the International Organization for Standardization (ISO) standards 11784 and 11785 is required when importing an animal, as a proof that the animal and the vaccination record belong together.

Though long-term research has been conducted and has shown that using microchips to track your pet is completely safe, there are still some owners who are against it. One issue reported that these microchips are the cause of Fibro Sarcomas in the animals that have been implanted.

However, a lot of pet owners are not affected by this issue because of the obvious advantages of microchips. The process of implanting a microchip is quick and no more painful than a vaccination. The chip can't get lost and it is encoded with a unique and unalterable identification code that can only be activated when read by a scanner. A microchip doesn't not need replacing as it is designed to last the lifetime of a pet; once injected, it is anchored in place as a thin layer of connective tissue forms around it. The owner's name and address are available on regional or national databases so your pet can be returned quickly and safely.

Providing your pet with a microchip can help ensure a happy reunion if the unthinkable happens: your beloved pet gets lost. But still the decision of microchipping you pet lies in your hands.