Who Gets Chipped?

Most people have come to accept the importance of microchipping their pet dogs or cats. This simple procedure serves as an invisible, permanent collar that can help locate them if they are lost.

But what about your adopted bird or hamster?

For the hamster, no. Unfortunately, Squeaky the Hamster will almost certainly meet an unfortunate end within one-hundred feet of your home.

But for the bird, absolutely yes.

If there is any chance that your pet could get lost, you should consider microchipping. Polly the Parrot not only has the means of escaping through an open window or door, but she's likely to fly far, far away. Plus, avian and other unusual pets rarely have leg bands or other means of identification. Without a microchip, you will probably never see her again.

Who can get it?
Microchipping is a very simple procedure and can be done to virtually any animal even small ones. Ferrets, lizards, turtles, toy poodles, snakes and even more exotic animals, including the majority of animals at the San Diego Zoo, can and are microchipped. (Admittedly, if you are an ant enthusiast, you are probably out of luck.)

So if your pet has the means to make it outside of your house and possibly into the hands of a vet or shelter, you should definitely at least consider the option.

Why wouldn't I want to?
Microchipping is not for everyone. Some people object to the idea, seeing it as demeaning to the animal. Personally, I believe it is an important measure to protect them. There are thousands of pets lost every day, most of which are ill-equipped to survive in habitats without temperature control and a food dish.

Microchips do not contain any batteries. They don't put out electrical signals and are not GPS devises. All they do is store a single number, which a scanner can read. This number is then linked in a database to your pet's information.

So if Sparky gets picked up at a shelter, they run a scanner behind her shoulder blades. This reads the number. They put that in the database and BINGO! They know her name and your phone number. You get a call. Sparky has a close call. Everyone ends up at home happy.