Microchips FAQ

At TCAP, we work hard to improve animal welfare throughout North Texas. We firmly believe that maintaining proper identification on your pets is a key component in achieving this goal. Statistically, one out of three pets will go missing during its lifetime. If proper preventative steps are not taken, 90% of them will not return home. Today, we would like to address the common questions we receive about microchipping pets and why they are so crucial to ensuring that your pet has the best protection available to ensure that they return home should they get separated from you.

What is a microchip? 
Microchips are tiny transponders, not much larger than a grain of rice, that are permanently implanted under a pet’s skin. Click here to learn about microchips 101.

How does a microchip work? 
Microchips contain a unique identification number that identifies individuals pets when read with a compatible scanner. All veterinary clinics and animal shelters have microchip scanners. With this unique ID, it is possible for the veterinary clinic or shelter worker to contact the microchip manufacturer and retrieve the contact information for the owner of the missing pet.

Does a microchip hurt?
Microchips are placed under your pet’s skin with a needle and syringe, it’s a lot like getting a routine vaccine. Most animals tolerate having a microchip implanted extremely well. No anesthetic is required. 

Do microchips cause cancer?
There is currently no evidence that microchips cause cancer in dogs or cats. 

My animal has a collar and ID tag. Does he still need a microchip?
While collars and ID tags are essential and can help ensure a speedy reunion if your pet gets lost, they are not a guarantee your pet will be found and brought back home. Collars and ID tags can fall off or break when a cat climbs a tree or a dog plays in a bush. Microchips can never break or fall-off.

If my cat is strictly indoors, does he really need a microchip?
Yes! Indoor cats often crave the adventure of being outdoors and will take opportunities when they are presented to sate this curiosity, such as open windows or doors. It is very easy for indoor cats to get spooked when outdoors, often their first instinct is to hide. This can make it extremely difficult to find them once they get out. If a lost indoor cat is found by another person, they have very few options on how to reach to owner of the cat, but if the cat has no collar, then next best option is to take them to an animal shelter to see if the lost cat is microchipped.

What if I move and my pet has a microchip? 
If you move or your phone number changes, it’s important to notify the microchip company so that your information remains up to date in the database registry.  Remember, a microchip is essentially useless unless your contact information is current and accurate. 

Is there a fee to register the chip?
TCAP uses HomeAgain microchips. When you purchase a microchip at a TCAP event, the fee you pay covers the lifetime registration for your pet. No additional purchase is required to ensure that your pet is registered.

What if your pet is re-homed?
If you re-home your pet, you will need to call HomeAgain and notify them of the change. The new guardian will then need to update the contact information on file. 

Prevent your pet from becoming one of the many unidentified pets at shelters by ensuring they all wear a collar, an ID tag and have a microchip. No matter how careful you are, you can never be completely sure that your animal won’t escape and get lost. Take every precaution to ensure that if your pet gets lost, he has the best chance of coming home to you.

Need an ID tag for your pet? Order a custom engraved ID Tag

Need to Microchip your pet? Come in during walk-in vaccine hours to purchase one for your pet.