In early 2004, Banfield began our first national microchip program using the International Standards Organization (ISO) 134.2 kHz microchips. We decided to stop microchipping in early May 2004 until a national standard could be accepted by all.
Full Answer
What is a microchip and how does it work?
The microchip is a small cylinder (about the size of a grain of rice) that is injected beneath the skin of your pet. The injection is safe and fast – like a routine vaccination. Once implanted, the microchip remains within your pet for life.
How does microchipping work at PetSmart?
Microchipping your dog through PetSmart works the same way as microchipping them at any other vet. The chip is a permanent form of identification and is about the size of a grain of rice. The chip gets inserted under your dog’s skin and has a unique code.
Is it safe to put a microchip in a dog?
The injection is safe and fast – like a routine vaccination. Once implanted, the microchip remains within your pet for life. When a microchip scanner is waved over your pet, the microchip sends your pet’s unique ID number back to the scanner where it can be read, and your pet can be identified.
How much does it cost to chip a dog at PetSmart?
The price of getting your dog microchipped through PetSmart costs anywhere from $25 to $50.
What kind of microchip does Banfield use?
Banfield uses a chip manufactured by a Switzerland-based company, CrystalTag. Avid argues that Banfield is putting pets at risk of being euthanized by offering a microchip that the majority of scanners used in shelters cannot read.
How much does it cost to get your dog chipped?
about $50Microchipping a pet is inexpensive. The average cost of your dog's microchip is about $50. This includes the injection procedure as well as microchip registration. There is no annual fee for your pet's microchip.
Does PetSmart do microchip scanning?
Petsmart checks microchips and implants them through their partnership with Banfield Pet Hospital, which has over 900 different locations nationwide.
Is microchipping painful for a dog?
Many owners naturally worry that placing a microchip inside their dog's body will hurt. In fact, the procedure takes seconds and no anesthetic is required. The chip is injected between the shoulder blades, and your dog won't feel a thing.
How much does microchipping a cat cost?
How Much Does It Cost to Microchip Your Cat? The average cost is only about $45—and that includes the actual chip, the vet procedure, and possible registration fees.
At what age can you microchip a puppy?
eight weeksWhen Should You Get Your Puppy Chipped? The sooner you get your puppy microchipped, the sooner your dog is protected should it get loose or become lost. This is why many veterinarians recommend having your puppy microchipped at eight weeks of age.
What are the side effects of microchipping a dog?
Although side effects are uncommon, microchipping a dog can sometimes bring upon varied effects such as temporary bleeding, hair loss, infection, abscesses, and microchip migration. But the vast majority of dogs experience minimal or zero side effects from the implantation process.
Can you track a dog with a chip?
You'll be able to find your dog if his microchip has been scanned at a vet clinic or a shelter to retrieve pet and owner information. Microchips don't work the same way as GPS trackers, which give you the real time location of your missing pet.
Does PetSmart put chips in cats?
Yes, PetSmart does offer microchipping to dogs and cats. Through their in-store Banfield veterinary clinics, customers can take their furry friends to get microchipped for their safety.
Can you tell if a cat is chipped?
The guaranteed way to know if a cat has a microchip is to have them scanned for one. Animal shelters, veterinary clinics, and many police stations have scanners. You typically don't need an appointment if you'd just like a scan to be done.
Can I get my cat microchipped for free?
The cost of having your pet microchipped varies – most vets will charge a small fee for the cost of the chip, their time and expertise. Some charities/events offer microchipping at a reduced cost or for free.
Good stuff
Look away from your phone for a minute, and look into the eyes of your pet. Can you believe how much you love that furry friend? Remember that time you were hanging out on the couch, lounging around, being together? Of course you do, that was like two minutes ago.
Not-so-good stuff
The pets we love sometimes get lost. It’s a possibility we all have to recognize. The angst and fear that pet owners feel when their pets are missing is just plain awful. If you’ve experienced it, we’re sending a big warm virtual hug to you right now. Need we say more about this scary prospect? No, let’s not. Let’s move back to the good stuff.
More good stuff
Here’s a fact: Microchips make a real difference, and your Banfield veterinary team can help you get one for the pet you love, in partnership with HomeAgain.
When did Banfield stop microchiping?
We decided to stop microchipping in early May 2004 until a national standard could be accepted by all.
What time does Banfields call center open?
Banfields' Call Center is open 7 days a week from 8:00 a.m. � 8:00 p.m. PST. 5. Banfields' Call Center will give the contact information to the shelter. 6. At that point, the shelter can contact the Pet's owner. Banfield may also attempt to contact the owner. 7.
What frequency do microchips work?
Currently, most Pets in the US who have a microchip, have one with a radio-frequency of 125 kHz. However, many other countries have transitioned to a 134.2 kHz ISO microchip, and recent Congressional action suggests that our country may do the same in the near future.
What to do if your dog is lost in Banfield?
If a lost Pet is brought in to a Banfield hospital, we will: 1. Scan the Pet for a microchip. 2. If the Pet has a microchip implanted at a Banfield hospital , we will try to contact the owner and provide any emergency medical care that the Pet may need.
Does a shelter have a 134.2 kHz scanner?
The fact that a shelter has a 134.2 kHz scanner does not guarantee that the shelter will actually use the scanner on lost Pets. (See question #1 to find out how to apply for a free dual-read scanner capable of reading 134.2 kHz microhips.) 7.
Can a True Paws microchip be read?
Please be aware that the TruePaws 134.2 kHz microchip cannot currently be read by the vast majority of scanners in U.S. shelters and other animal control facilities. Only certain shelters (identified on our website) are equipped with a 134.2 kHz scanner that can read this microchip.
Does PetSmart Microchip Cats & Dogs?
You may not be able to walk your dog into a PetSmart store and have them microchipped, but they do offer services through the Banfield Pet Clinics. This service has strived to provide pet owners with cheap services to ensure the safety of all pets. The only downside to this is that you might not have one located close to you.
How Much Does Microchipping a Dog Through PetSmart Cost?
The price of getting your dog microchipped through PetSmart costs anywhere from $25 to $50. This depends mainly on location and the types of chips being used.
What Kind of Microchips Are Used?
Most Banfield clinics have been using HomeAgain’s brand of pet microchips. This is a trusted brand, and they have reunited millions of pets with their owners.
How Does Microchipping Work?
Microchipping your dog through PetSmart works the same way as microchipping them at any other vet. The chip is a permanent form of identification and is about the size of a grain of rice. The chip gets inserted under your dog’s skin and has a unique code.
Why Should I Microchip My Dog?
With over 10 million pets lost each year, microchipping your animals gives you’re the greatest odds of reuniting with them if you were to ever get separated. Dogs are curious animals and wander off all the time. Before they know it, they are completely lost with no idea of how to get home.
Is Microchipping Painful for the Animals?
While we can’t guarantee that they won’t feel any pain at all, the procedure for inserting a microchip is relatively painless. It only takes a few seconds and is more uncomfortable while being inserted than anything. Once the chip is in place, the dog won’t even know it’s there.
Final Thoughts
Don’t hesitate to microchip your dog if you’ve been considering it. The benefits far outweigh the cons. Plus, the procedure is very cheap and something that most people can afford or save up for. If you only have expensive veterinary clinics near you, try to search for a Banfield clinic through the PetSmart website to see what your options are.
What is a microchip?
The microchips used are about the size of a grain of rice and have very small electrical components. They are used to pick up a string of unique numbers, which are then connected to a database with the owner’s contact information. Statistics show an increased chance of finding your pet in the case of running away.
How does microchip work?
A microchip is a permanent form of identification, about the size of a grain of rice. Implanted beneath the skin, usually between the shoulder blades, it’s able to store a unique code that can only be detected by a scanner at most shelters and vet offices.
What to do after a microchip is implanted?
After the chip is implanted, you will then have to create an account with the pet-recovery database the vet used and input your contact information. Since there are multiple brands of microchips on the market, this process can vary, but it’s so important you keep this contact information up-to-date.
Can a vet scan a microchip?
Most vet offices and even shelters have a universal scanner on hand that’s able to scan a microchip, connecting it to the database. The entire process takes seconds, with most pets not even flinching during the procedure. Microchipping is permanent, and these chips are even hard to find during a surgical procedure.
