About Microchipping

The Santa Cruz SPCA uses and promotes 24PetWatch microchips.

A microchip is a rice gain-sized transponder, on which a unique number is embedded. The microchip is inserted using a needle between the shoulder blades of dogs and cats, in a relatively painless procedure, which takes just seconds. We estimate that approximately 5% of dogs and cats in North America have been implanted with a microchip. Traditionally, pets have been microchipped for three reasons:

By pet owners concerned that their dog or cat might become lost and, as a result, want to have something more than just a collar tag as a form of identification;
By breeders wishing to maintain breed integrity and want something more than a tattoo;
By shelters, who want to improve the chances of lost pets being reunited and to help track those pets that are adopted should they at some future date re-enter the shelter community.

What makes a microchip system work properly?

There are three essential components to an effective microchip system:

The microchip, or as it is sometimes referred to as the 'transponder' or 'RFID' technology which has a number embedded into it which can be read at a certain frequency;
The reader, or as it is sometimes referred to as the 'scanner', which is generally a hand-held device, is used to read the number on the microchip which has been implanted in the dog or cat;
The database network, where information about the pet owner and the pet can be stored or registered, in each case tied directly to the pet's microchip number. The microchips we use through the 24PetWatch program are microchips that have the ability to be read by even competitor's scanners.

Microchips

In Canada, the standardization of microchip use is nearing completion owing to the success of the National Companion Animal Coalition ("NCAC"), which is comprised of the Canadian Veterinary Medical Association, The Canadian Federation of Humane Societies, the Canadian Kennel Club and the Pet Industry Joint Advisory Council of Canada. The NCAC have mandated full transition to an ISO standard for microchips as of August 1, 2005.

In the United States, standardization is occurring slowly. The use by some companies of an encrypted microchip (one which can only be read by the Company's own reader or by those that they license the code to) has inhibited widespread support for microchipping amongst user groups and pet owners alike. However, use of encrypted technology appears to be waning. Pethealth through the 24PetWatch program is doing its part and its market share continues to grow.

Readers

Most shelters, emergency clinics and veterinary clinics in Canada use readers or scanners as part of dealing with lost pets. Substantially all of these readers can scan all of the microchips in use (meaning they have both a forward and backward technology capability). In the United States reader compatibility within the shelter community is high, this is less so within the veterinary community.

Database

It is in the area of database management that Pethealth, through its 24PetWatch program, stands out from the rest. Many other microchip companies make little or no attempt to ensure that the number on the microchip is linked to accurate pet owner and pet information. In many cases these companies rely on the clinic or shelter where the chip was first implanted to assist them in dealing with pet information. Still others charge a registration fee to have the pet owner and pet information initially stored but rely totally on the pet owner for any future changes to that information.

With the 24PetWatch program individual microchip numbers are matched to specific pet owner and pet information. Registration of that information is free of charge. 24PetWatch will even freely accept registration of pets that have a competitor's chip implanted. Additionally, 24petwatch proactively maintains contact with pet owners at least once every 11 months.

Microchips are a safe, permanent and painless way of protecting your pet for a lifetime. Microchips allow lost pets to be identified at shelters or veterinary clinics and greatly increase the chance that your pet will be returned to you quickly.

Already have a chip? Microchips from any provider can also be registered in the 24PetWatch database and we will send you a free ID tag with the 24PetWatch phone number so your pet can quickly be identified when found. Register Your Pet Now