At Cottage Vet Clinic, one of the most important tools we have to reunite lost pets with their families is something smaller than a grain of rice—a microchip.
What Is Microchipping?
Microchipping is a simple, permanent way to identify your pet. A tiny chip (about the size of a grain of rice) is injected under the skin, usually between the shoulder blades. It only takes a few seconds and is no more painful than a vaccination.
Each microchip has a unique number that links to your contact information in a national pet database. If your pet is found and taken to a vet or animal welfare organisation, a quick scan reveals your details.
Why Is Microchipping So Important?
Thousands of pets go missing every year. Collars and tags can fall off or be removed, but a microchip is a secure, lifelong form of identification.
We’ve seen many happy reunions here at Cottage Vet—pets who were missing for weeks or even months, found their way home thanks to a quick scan and a working chip.
Microchipping is also essential if you are emigrating with your pet!
Things to Remember
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Keep your contact details up to date on the microchip database.
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Microchipping is required by law in some areas—especially for travel.
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Puppies and kittens can be chipped from a young age, often during their sterilisation.
Myth Busting
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“It’s a GPS tracker.” It’s not. Microchips don’t track location; they only store an identification numbers to allow us to find your information via a database.
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“It needs batteries.” Nope! It’s passive and only works when scanned.
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“It can move or fall out.” Very rarely—modern chips are designed to stay in place.
🏥 We Can Help
At Cottage Vet Clinic, microchipping is quick, affordable, and gives you peace of mind. We often chip pets at the time of vaccination or sterilisation, but it can be done anytime.
