How does the microchip work?

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Microchips are a great way to identify your pet should they get lost. Each chip is about the size of the grain of rice and has a 15 digit number unique to that chip. They are implanted between the shoulder blades using a large-gauge needle. At the time of implantation you will enroll with the microchip company, giving them your contact information. Should your pet get lost and picked up by animal control or brought to a vet clinic they will be scanned and their number will come up. The agency then calls the microchip company and gets the owner’s information using the chip number allowing them to contact you. Essentially the microchip acts just like an ID tag with the added advantage that it cannot fall off or get lost.

Once enrolled, if you move or change your contact information for any reason it is strongly recommended that you update your information by either calling the microchip company or going onto their website. The VTF implants HomeAgain microchips and they can be reached at 1-888-466-3242 or at www.homeagain.com. When updating your information let them know you are military and they will waive the administration fee. If you give your pet away it is important that you call the microchip company and let them know so the new owner can call and get the microchip put in their name. If not you are still considered legally responsible for the pet since the chip is in your name.

Once a year you will receive a letter in the mail or an e-mail asking you to renew your membership for a yearly fee. This fee does not apply to the identification feature of the microchip, which is good for the lifetime of the pet. The membership is for extra services that HomeAgain offers such as lost pet alerts. Please go to HomeAgain’s website and review their offers to see if you are interested. If not you can choose to not pay the annual fee. The chip will still work to identify your pet.