Microchipping is one of the most effective things you can do to help protect a lost pet. According to the American Veterinary Medical Association¹, microchipped dogs are returned home at more than double the rate of dogs without chips. The procedure takes just seconds during a routine vet visit and provides permanent identification that stays with your pet for life.
What Is a Pet Microchip and How Does It Work?
A pet microchip is a small electronic device — about the size of a grain of rice — implanted just under the skin, typically between the shoulder blades. It holds a unique ID number linked to your contact information in a national database.
When a lost pet arrives at a veterinary clinic or animal shelter, staff scan for a microchip. The scanner reads the ID number, which is matched to your contact information in the registry. You’re contacted, and your pet comes home.
One important note: microchips are not GPS devices. They only work when someone finds your pet and scans the chip. They don’t track your pet’s location in real time. Think of it as a permanent ID card embedded under the skin — always there, impossible to lose, and instantly readable by any vet or shelter with a standard scanner.
Unlike collars and ID tags, which can break, fall off, or be removed, a microchip travels with your pet for life without batteries or maintenance.
Top Benefits of Microchipping Your Pet
Microchipping is a straightforward step with meaningful, lasting results. Here’s why it matters.
Escape and Runaway Situations
It takes only seconds for a pet to slip through an open door or a gap in the fence. In those moments, a microchip gives a finder the path back to you. Research cited by the AVMA¹ shows that microchipped dogs are reunited with their pet parents at more than double the rate of unchipped dogs — and for cats, the difference is even more dramatic.
The most common reason microchipped pets still aren’t returned? An outdated or missing phone number in the registry. The chip is only as useful as the contact information attached to it.
Natural Disasters and Emergencies
Disasters can separate pets from their families in ways collars can’t survive. A chip that gets scanned at a rescue shelter or vet clinic weeks after a hurricane or wildfire can still connect a lost pet to the right home. For emergency preparedness planning, see what to bring to a vet emergency.
Medical Needs and Chronic Conditions
If your pet has ongoing medical needs, fast identification matters. When a microchipped pet arrives at a clinic, staff can quickly confirm who they belong to and get in touch with you — reducing delays in care.
How to Get Your Pet Microchipped
Getting your pet microchipped is fast, simple, and done at almost any veterinary clinic.
Step 1: Check Whether Your Current Insurance Covers It
Some pet insurance plans include microchip implantation as a covered benefit. Check your policy before your appointment — coverage can reduce or eliminate the out-of-pocket cost.
Step 2: Book an Appointment
Most veterinary clinics offer microchipping during a routine visit. Let them know you want it done when scheduling. Local shelters and animal welfare organizations sometimes hold low-cost microchipping events as well.
Step 3: Have the Chip Implanted
The chip is injected under the skin with a syringe — similar to a standard vaccine. No anesthesia is required, and the procedure takes only a few seconds. Most pets tolerate it with minimal reaction. It can be done during the same visit as vaccinations or a routine exam — see our vaccination schedule guide if you want to combine visits.
Step 4: Register the Microchip
This is the step most pet parents overlook — and it’s the most important one. The chip does nothing useful if your name and phone number aren’t registered in a database. Follow your chip provider’s instructions to submit your contact information, and update it any time your address or number changes.
Step 5: Confirm What Happens If Your Pet Goes Missing
If someone finds your pet, they’ll bring them to a vet or shelter to scan for a chip. The ID number is cross-referenced against the registry, and you’re contacted directly. The cleaner and more current your registry information, the faster the reunion.
A Small Chip With a Big Impact
Microchipping only takes a few seconds, but it’s one of the most durable protections you can give your pet. It costs little, requires no ongoing maintenance, and gives any vet or shelter an instant path back to you — whether your pet wanders off on a Tuesday or gets separated from you during an emergency.
For the best results: get chipped, register immediately, and keep your contact info current. Pairing microchipping with preventive care coverage is another way to manage the cost of routine pet health steps — learn about wellness and preventive care coverage options.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I track my pet’s location with a microchip?
No. Pet microchips do not have GPS capability and cannot transmit location data. They are passive devices that only activate when scanned by a compatible reader. To know where your pet is in real time, you would need a separate GPS collar or tracker. A microchip identifies your pet after they’ve been found — it doesn’t help you find them while they’re still missing.
How long does a pet microchip last?
Pet microchips are designed to last a lifetime. They contain no batteries, have no moving parts, and require no maintenance after implantation. The chip stays in place under the skin and remains readable by standard scanners throughout your pet’s life. Occasional migration (shifting slightly from the original implant site) can occur but rarely affects scannability.
Does microchipping hurt my pet?
The procedure uses a syringe needle larger than a typical vaccine syringe, but most pets show minimal reaction. It’s quick — a matter of seconds — and no anesthesia is needed. Some pets may flinch briefly during the injection. In rare cases, mild soreness at the injection site can last a day or two.
My pet already wears a collar and ID tag — why do they also need a microchip?
Collars and ID tags are easy to read if your pet is found quickly, but they can break, fall off, or be removed. A microchip provides a permanent backup layer of identification that stays with your pet regardless of what happens to their collar. Both forms of ID together give your pet the best chance of coming home safely.
Added benefits and everyday support can help make a pet insurance plan feel even more valuable. Beyond emergency coverage, features that help support pet parents' peace of mind can make a real difference.
With Spot Pet Insurance, every plan includes 24/7 pet telehealth access and microchip implantation coverage. Spot also offers a Spot Perks program, giving pet parents access to up to $2,500 in discounts on popular pet brands.* Enroll your pet today.
*No purchase necessary. Based on total combined Spot Perks discounts applied to avg. vendor cart value. See spotpet.com/perks-terms.
With 15 years as a dog and cat parent, my pet articles are a mix of humor and firsthand experience - proof that the best stories often come with paws and purrs.
American Veterinary Medical Association. Microchipping of Animals FAQ. AVMA Pet Owner Resources.
