What is a microchip?
Microchips are tiny transponders, about the size of a grain of rice, that can be implanted in your pet's skin. It is not a GPS tracker so it cannot be used to locate a lost pet. It is mainly for identification and authentication.
Both cats and dogs can have the microchip inserted.
It is particularly important if the animal is pedigree as they are the ones mostly stolen by backyard breeders. You are able to prove that the pet is yours.
It is particularly important if the animal is pedigree as they are the ones mostly stolen by backyard breeders. You are able to prove that the pet is yours.
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| microchip (size) |
The difference between a microchip and a GPS tracker.
The biggest difference is that the microchip for dogs is used for authentication of a lost pet, while the GPS Tracker is used for locating and tracking your pet in realtime!
A gps Tracker is approximately the size of a car key. Most trackers come as collars since its too big to be implanted under the skin.
Trackers consists of a expensive GMS module, GPS-antenna, LED and a battery. It would practically be impossible to place all those components into such a small device like the microchip for dogs, even with state of the art technology.
Studies are however being conducted to develop a gps tracker the size of a normal microchip.
A gps Tracker is approximately the size of a car key. Most trackers come as collars since its too big to be implanted under the skin.
Trackers consists of a expensive GMS module, GPS-antenna, LED and a battery. It would practically be impossible to place all those components into such a small device like the microchip for dogs, even with state of the art technology.
Studies are however being conducted to develop a gps tracker the size of a normal microchip.
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| gps tracker collar |
How is the microchip inserted?
The microchip is implanted just under the skin, between the shoulder blades, with a syringe. The pet hardly feels anything during this process.
A skilled vet or paravet can easily do the procedure.
The best part is that its impossible for anyone to locate it without a scanner so chances of a thief removing it is zero.
A skilled vet or paravet can easily do the procedure.
The best part is that its impossible for anyone to locate it without a scanner so chances of a thief removing it is zero.
How does the microchip work?
Each microchip contains a registration number and the phone number of the registry for the particular brand of chip.
A handheld scanner reads the radio frequency of the chip and displays this information. An animal shelter or vet clinic that finds your pet can contact the registry to get your name and phone number.
When a microchip scanner is passed over the skin of a microchipped pet, the implanted microchip emits an RF (radio frequency) signal. The scanner reads the microchip’s unique ID code. The microchip registry is called, and the registry company uses the ID number to retrieve the pet parent’s contact information from the pet recovery database.
The records can be stored with the East Africa Kennel Club or the Kspca.
When a microchip scanner is passed over the skin of a microchipped pet, the implanted microchip emits an RF (radio frequency) signal. The scanner reads the microchip’s unique ID code. The microchip registry is called, and the registry company uses the ID number to retrieve the pet parent’s contact information from the pet recovery database.
The records can be stored with the East Africa Kennel Club or the Kspca.
How long does it last before replacement?
You only need to have the microchip implanted once as it should last for the lifetime of your pet.
You only need to have the microchip implanted once as it should last for the lifetime of your pet.
What should you expect once your pet is microchipped?
Should your pet go missing, the person who finds them can call Kspca or the East Africa Kennel Club where they can confirm that your pet belongs to you so they can be returned home safe and sound
Should your pet go missing, the person who finds them can call Kspca or the East Africa Kennel Club where they can confirm that your pet belongs to you so they can be returned home safe and sound
Pros of having a microchip?
It's like a pet ID with details of the animal, breed, and details of the owner.
It's like a pet ID with details of the animal, breed, and details of the owner.
What are the cons of a microchip?
Pet microchips are not tracking devices. They are radio-frequency identification (RFID) implants that provide permanent ID for your pet. Because they use RFID technology, microchips do not require a power source like A GPS tracking device,
Pet microchips are not tracking devices. They are radio-frequency identification (RFID) implants that provide permanent ID for your pet. Because they use RFID technology, microchips do not require a power source like A GPS tracking device,
What to do when your pet is lost...
Report as soon as possible to relevant authorities. You can visit or call KSPCA and tell them the details. In case you find a pet you suspect is yours the scanner will come in handy for identification purposes.
Report as soon as possible to relevant authorities. You can visit or call KSPCA and tell them the details. In case you find a pet you suspect is yours the scanner will come in handy for identification purposes.
How are your pets tracked and identified?
With GPS trackers, you can proactively track your dog’s location, because it is using both satellites and cell towers to determine the location of the device. This allows for a much more extensive range than microchips, making it possible to track your pet across the country.
Studies are still being done for a gps tracker the size of a microchip.
Microchips however are important since you can prove beyond all doubt that the pet belongs to you.
My horror story...
I remember one afternoon when I came home only to be told my dogs were gone. Someone had left the gate open and wasn't kind enough to let me know till hours later.
I was sad.. worried and devastated. I walked and called for hours. I asked neighbours who weren't even neighbours... until a security guard told me he had seen two men dragging two dogs with chains and locked them in a particular home - my neighbour!!!! Upon asking the servants they started acting dodgy, denying what the eyewitness had said. I could see my dogs struggling from the enclosure and they were whining in distress!!!
I remember one afternoon when I came home only to be told my dogs were gone. Someone had left the gate open and wasn't kind enough to let me know till hours later.
I was sad.. worried and devastated. I walked and called for hours. I asked neighbours who weren't even neighbours... until a security guard told me he had seen two men dragging two dogs with chains and locked them in a particular home - my neighbour!!!! Upon asking the servants they started acting dodgy, denying what the eyewitness had said. I could see my dogs struggling from the enclosure and they were whining in distress!!!
I was denied audience but i was relentless. I calmly went home, took my pick up truck and parked right in front of their gate - no one going in or out until the owner arrived an hour later. I was so mad i forgot my shoes in the car and started giving her an earful while shifting on my bare feet!!! She was stunned and embarrassed. She asked her gateman to open the gate and I drove in like a boss!!! The Pompeii volcano had nothing on me!!! I did not care for anything - I was trebling in anger, agony and sheer murderous thoughts.
Long story short, I got my dogs back and they got to know one livid neighbour lady who just loves her dogs... happens to know where they live..
Moral of the story? Save the adrenaline for the Armageddon. Have your pets microchipped.
If my dogs were microchipped i would have easily established they were mine and I would have had the moral authority to burn that mansion down!!!
This is Serenity!!!
**in case you have any queries please contact me via email: mburu.njeri88@gmail.com or call/text/whatsApp +254725733412
image credits:
sacurrent.com, wikipedia.org, pet-travel.com.consumer-reports.com, prweb.com,marbellafamilyfun.com, warable.com
