At TCAP, we work to improve animal welfare in North Texas. A key part of this is making sure pets have proper identification. One out of three pets will go missing during its lifetime. If proper steps aren’t taken, only 10% will return home. Microchipping pets is crucial to ensuring they return home if they’re ever 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. Learn more about microchips 101.
How does a microchip work?
When reading with a compatible scanner, microchips identify individuals pets. With this unique ID, any veterinary clinic or shelter worker can contact the microchip manufacturer and retrieve the contact information for the owner of the missing pet.Does Inserting a Microchip Hurt my Pet?
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 to go outside when they are presented, such as open windows or doors. However, because they are not used to being outdoors, they can easily get spooked and hide, making it difficult to find them if they get lost. If a lost indoor cat is found by another person, the best option is to take them to an animal shelter to see if they are microchipped.What if I move and my pet has a microchip?
If you move or your phone number changes, please notify the microchip company so that your information remains up to date in the database registry. Remember, a microchip is rendered 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.
Ensure your pet wears a collar, ID tag, and has a microchip to prevent them from becoming an unidentified pet at a shelter. Even if you are careful, you can never be certain your animal won’t escape and get lost, so take every precaution to increase the chances of your pet being returned home.
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.