How To Activate a Pet Microchip
What is Pet Microchip?
A microchip implant is an identifying integrated circuit placed under the skin of an animal. The chip, about the size of a large grain of rice, uses passive radio-frequency identification technology, and is also known as a PIT tag. Standard pet microchips are typically 11–13 mm long and 2 mm in diameter.
How To Activate a Pet Microchip
Once you’ve confirmed your microchip number, registering it is free and takes no more than a few minutes. You can do it yourself on the Customer Portal or by calling 1-866-597-2424 to work directly with a Pet Registry Specialist. That’s it!
Frequently Asked Questions
Do microchips have to be activated?
The microchip is a passive transponder, which means that it has no power source of its own, it doesn’t move, and it only activates when powered by a signal from an external device… in other words, microchips by themselves are sort of dull. They basically just sit there waiting for something to happen.
How do I know if my microchip is active?
You can do this for free at a veterinary office, animal shelter and some pet stores. Call ahead to make sure the establishment can scan your pet using a universal scanner (one that reads all chip frequencies), so the chip isn’t missed.
How do pet microchips get power?
Because they use RFID technology, microchips do not require a power source like a GPS. When a microchip scanner is passed over the pet, the microchip gets enough power from the scanner to transmit the microchip’s ID number.
What happens if a dog is microchipped but not registered?
If a pet with an unregistered chip is found it may still be possible to trace the owner. The manufacturer of the chip is usually identifiable from the chip number. The major microchip manufacturers keep records of the facilities to which they have sold their chips.
Do pet microchips expire?
Fact: Every microchip comes in packaging with an expiration date, but that only tells the shelter or clinic how long the package will remain sterile. If the chip is planted before that date, it will stay safe and sterile. Once implanted, the pet microchip itself never expires.
What makes a microchip work?
It works by converting electrical signals into digital information that can be interpreted by the device. Microchip technology is highly complex and consists of several components meant to control different aspects of the computer system’s performance, including memory storage, data transmission speed and power usage.
Can a dog chip be deactivated?
Yes, a chip can be removed from a microchipped cat or dog in rare circumstances. Although, microchips are a little peskier to take out than they are to put in since they require a surgical procedure.
What happens to microchip when dog dies?
When your pet passes away and you choose cremation for processing their remains, the microchip will remain in their bodies throughout the process and be incinerated during the cremation.
Can a magnet erase a pet microchip?
Magnets will not deactivate the chip. Microchips are read-only, and they do not have a power supply.
Can your phone detect a microchip?
Unfortunately, no. A smart phone can not and will not ever be able to read a pet’s microchip. There are no apps for iphone or android that do this and there never will be.