...Frequently Asked
Questions...

What is a microchip?

A microchip is a permanent method of electronic identification. The chip itself is very small – about the size of a grain of rice – and is implanted subcutaneously (just under the skin) between the shoulder blades at the back of your pet’s neck. Each chip has a unique number that is detected using a microchip scanner.

What does the microchip do?

If your pet gets lost and is taken to a vet clinic or animal shelter, your pet will be scanned for a microchip to reveal his unique ID number. That number will be called into the pet recovery service, and you will be contacted using the contact information on file with your pet’s microchip.

What type of information is registered on the microchip?

All the pets details e.g. name, age, colour, breed etc and also the owners name and contact number.

What do they mean by “microchip frequency”?

The frequency of a microchip actually refers to the frequency of the radio wave given off by the scanner that activates and reads the microchip. Examples of microchip frequencies used in the U.S. include 125 kilo Hertz (kHz), 128 kHz, and 134.2 kHz.

What does ISO mean?

The International Standards Organization, or ISO, has approved and recommended a global standard for microchips. The global standard is intended to create an identification system that is consistent worldwide. For example, if a dog was implanted with an ISO standard microchip in the U.S. travels to Europe with its owners and becomes lost, the ISO standard scanners in Europe would be able to read the dog’s microchip. If the dog was implanted with a non-ISO microchip and the ISO scanner was not forward- and backward-reading (universal), the dog’s microchip might not be detected or be read by the scanner. The ISO standard frequency is 134.2 kHz. (FDX-B 15digit Microchips).

Are these microchips ISO and ICAR compliant?

Yes

How does the microchip help reunite the pet with his/her family?

When an animal is found and taken to a shelter or veterinary clinic, one of the first things they do is scan the animal for a microchip. If they find a microchip, and if the microchip registry has accurate information, they can quickly find the animal’s owner.

Will a microchip really make it more likely for me to get my pet back?

Definitely! A study of more than 7,700 stray animals at animal shelters showed that dogs without microchips were returned to their owners 21.9% of the time, whereas microchipped dogs were returned to their owners 52.2% of the time. Cats without microchips were reunited with their owners only 1.8% of the time, whereas microchipped cats went back home 38.5% of the time. (Lord et al, JAVMA, July 15, 2009). For microchipped animals that weren’t returned to their owners, most of the time it was due to incorrect owner information (or no owner information) in the microchip registry database – so don’t forget to register and keep your information updated.

Can I track my dog with this chip?

No. It is not a tracking device. There are no internal tracking devices available as yet. This is just for proof of ownership and to give our pet an identity.

Does it hurt?

It’s a needle prick with a thickish type needle, however it is extremely sharp and we have heard pets perform a lot worse with receiving vaccinations than with chips. Some don’t even feel it at all.

How long does it take to inert the microchip?

Just a few seconds.

Can I leave the country with this chip?

Yes. It is ISO and ICAR compliant

Can I put my pet on medical aid with this chip?

Yes.

Does KUSA accept this brand of microchip?

Yes.

Does the insertion of the chip involve surgery?

No, it is just a needle prick under the skin between the shoulder blades.

Are there any other costs besides the R150 / R165 we pay to Chip For Cheaper?

No.

What is the youngest age I can chip from?

Roughly from 6 weeks.

Is there any risk to microchipping?

There are always risks to anything, however the chances of that with microchipping are zero to minimal. All microchip needles are individually packaged and sealed. Inside the package there is sterile gas.

Can any scanner read this chip?

Any universal scanner worldwide can read these chips.

Does this chip work with electronic doggy doors?

Yes.

I adopted a pet from a rescue centre. How do I check if they have a microchip?

Ask your vet to scan the pet to check for a chip or contact us to arrange.

I adopted a pet from a rescue centre. How do I change the ownership details on the microchip?

Ask the shelter which company the chip brand belongs to and then contact that company and request transfer of ownership.

How long does the microchip last?

Your pets lifetime.

Does the microchip move inside the body?

Over time the chip can migrate under the skin, however our chip brand has a non-migration coating that assists in preventing it from moving.

Why should I microchip my pet?

The best reason to have your animals microchipped is the improved chance that you’ll get your animal back if it becomes lost or stolen. Some city pounds and kill shelters, depending on how full they are, have the right to put your animal to sleep if they come in as a stray without identification.

Does a chip replace an identification tag on a collar?

Absolutely not. Microchips are great for permanent identification that is tamper-proof, but nothing replaces a collar with up-to-date identification tags. If a pet is wearing a collar with tags when it’s lost, it’s often a very quick process to read the tag and contact the owner; however, the information on the tags needs to be accurate and up-to-date. But if a pet is not wearing a collar and tags, or if the collar is lost or removed, then the presence of a microchip might be the only way the pet’s owner can be found.

What are the negative effects of microchipping your pets?

None

Once the microchip is inserted what maintenance is required?

There really is no maintenance required for microchips themselves, although you do need to register the microchip and keep your contact information up-to-date in the microchip registration database. If you notice any abnormalities at the site where the microchip was implanted, such as drainage (oozing) or swelling, contact your veterinarian. Ideally, the microchip should be scanned during your animal’s regular wellness/preventive care exams to make sure that it’s still in place and working as it should.

Is there a database that my pet is registered on and do I have control over it?

Yes, an extremely user friendly international database that you have full control over.

Will my pet bleed when they get microchipped?

Some pets do bleed slightly, however it is not often.

Why are microchips sometimes not found?

As with almost anything, it’s not a fool proof system. Although it’s very rare, microchips can fail and become unable to be detected by a scanner. Problems with the scanners are also not common, but can occur. Human error, such as improper scanning technique or incomplete scanning of an animal, can also lead to failure to detect a microchip. Some of the animal-related factors that can make it difficult to detect a microchip include the following: animals that won’t stay still or struggle too much while being scanned; the presence of long, matted hair at or near the microchip implantation site; excessive fat deposits in the region of implantation; and a metal collar (or a collar with a lot of metal on it). All of these can interfere with the scanning and detection of the microchip.

My pet has 2 different frequency microchips implanted. Do I need to have one removed?

No, you do not need to have one of the microchips removed and no, they will not interfere with each other. The microchip detected by the scanner will depend on the scanner used – if it is a universal (forward- and backward-reading) scanner, it will probably detect each chip as it is passed over it. To detect the other chip, the scanner has to be reset and passed over the area where it is located. If it is a scanner that only reads one microchip frequency, it will only detect a microchip of that specific frequency and will not detect or read the other microchip. If you know your pet has more than one microchip implanted, make sure you keep the database information updated for each microchip. People don’t routinely assume there’s more than one microchip (because it is very uncommon), so they will try to find the owner based on the registry number of the microchip they detect.

I am relocating to another country and the current chip my pet has is not ISO compliant. Can I re-chip the pet with an ISO compliant chip?

Sure you can. Both chips will function normally. If your pet is scanned with a scanner that only reads 125 kHz chips, only the 125kHz chip will be detected. If your pet is scanned with a universal (forward- and backward reading) scanner, it could detect one or both chips separately (see the question above this one for more information).

Any other questions?

For any other questions of needed info please contact us on 0745814343 or info@chipforcheaper.co.za