What is a Microchip?
A microchip is a very small capsule about the size of a grain of rice that contains a computer chip which stores an alphanumeric code that is unique and specific to the animal which receives the implant.
How is a Microchip Placed Within My Pet?
The microchip is injected under the skin and into the connective tissue of your pet with an instrument much like a hypodermic needle. It is no different than having your pet vaccinated, the process is quick, simple and causes minimal discomfort to your pet.
Are Microchips Safe?
Microchips are produced of biologically inert materials, and individually sterilized and packaged. They do not cause a tissue reaction and have been found to be extremely safe both in the short and the long term.
Can a Microchip Move Once its Implanted?
Early versions of the microchip had a tendency to ‘migrate’ after implantation. Today’s manufacturers have developed microchips with anti-migrating properties that have dramatically reduced this potential. The best way to prevent a microchip from migrating is proper implantation. This means following the instructions as laid out by the manufacturer and ensuring the chip is implanted deep enough to allow the anti-migrating features to properly take hold.
What is the Lifespan of a Microchip?
The microchip itself contains no internal battery but is powered by energy it receives from the scanner or reader. As such they enjoy an exceptionally long lifespan that far exceeds the life of the animal.
Why Microchip my Pet?
Microchips provide a permanent, unremovable means of animal identification that will not fade or be lost over time as can occur with a tattoo or ID tag. Owner information can be accessed immediately through the recovery database associated with the microchip. This ensures the quick and accurate identification of a lost pet, avoiding the delays and sometimes misinterpretations found with other forms of pet ID. It is also a system that knows no geographical boundary and is applicable throughout North America, making it the best insurance you can provide your pet in the event it becomes lost.
How Does the System Work?
When a lost animal appears in a shelter, humane society, or veterinary clinic, it will be scanned for a microchip. If one is present, a specific alpha-numeric code will be displayed. With that code number in hand, a call will be made to the recovery database using the 800 toll free number. That code number can be traced to the pet owner listed in the database files.
What is CANADACHIP?
CANADACHIP is a national pet rescue program offered by The Canadian Kennel Club. The program consists of 2 components, the first is a recovery hotline which is linked to a national database of dog/owner information and the second is the availability of microchips and scanners through The Canadian Kennel Club.
Who Can Participate in CANADACHIP?
Every microchipped dog registered with the CKC is automatically enrolled in the CANADACHIP Recovery Database. As well, any companion animal microchipped by a CKC member vet, is also part of the CANADACHIP program.
Any veterinarian or breeder who is a member of the CKC can purchase microchips through the CANADACHIP program.
Which Microchip Does CANADACHIP Sell to Members?
At the present time, CANADACHIP offers the Trovan ISO ID K162 FDX-B chip, which meets the newly revised Canadian Standard. As new introductions of ISO products enter the market, CANADACHIP will review and may make available additional options. Prices are subject to change without notice.
Why Does CKC Operate CANADACHIP?
The CKC has been assisting in the recovery of lost purebred dogs for many decades and long before microchips were ever in existence. Since our purebred dogs have been uniquely identified for years, and since ownership is part of the information stored on our purebred database, shelters have become accustomed to calling CKC whenever they find a purebred dog.
Besides, the CKC has one of the most sophisticated database systems in the world for the registration of purebred dogs. Therefore, it was not terribly difficult for us to design a parallel database using the same technology, to accommodate the CANADACHIP National Pet Recovery program.
The CKC’s role in recovery is not at all unique. Both the American Kennel Club in United States and The Kennel Club in England operate similar recovery programs for companion animals.
Why is CKC Involved in the Sale of Microchips?
Primarily for our members, who for the most part, are directly or indirectly involved with purebred dogs.
Unlike many other companion animals, purebred dogs in Canada must be uniquely identified for the purpose of registration. It is the responsibility of the breeder/owner of the dog at birth, or the importer of a dog from a foreign country, to ensure that the dog is identified prior to leaving their premises. This is not just a CKC rule, this is the law of Canada as stated in the Animal Pedigree Act.
Since microchipping is an acceptable form of ID, the CKC purchases them at wholesale prices, and passes on the savings to our members.
Is CANADACHIP the Only Recovery Service in Canada?
No, there are a number of recovery services operating in Canada, including CANADACHIP. Each service is committed to the primary role of reuniting a lost pet with its owner. Thus, there is mutual cooperation between the databases which ensures that a caller is directed to the appropriate database.
CANADACHIP National Pet Rescue Features:
- Only microchips that have successfully completed the National Companion Animal Coalition review and which meet the Canada standard
- Lifetime recovery service
- Accepted form of identification for CKC registration
- Free information updates