Pet Microchipping at Santa Monica Pet Medical Center

Why Microchipping Matters for Your Pet in Santa Monica

Every year, many pets go missing in Santa Monica, and sadly, some are never reunited with their families. Fortunately, a simple and effective solution exists: the microchip. This tiny device offers one of the most reliable ways to stay connected to your pet, even if they’re far from home.

What Is a Microchip?

A microchip is a permanent form of identification that helps veterinary hospitals and shelters quickly identify a lost pet and contact their owner. Microchipping your dog or cat is a quick, safe, and virtually painless process, making it a smart and stress-free choice for pet owners.

How Microchips Work

Each microchip contains a small, passive transponder that doesn’t require a power source. Instead, it’s activated by a handheld scanner that emits radio waves. When scanned, the chip transmits its unique ID number, which must be registered along with your contact information to be effective.

Dog and Cat Microchips are typically implanted just under the skin between your pet’s shoulder blades. Once placed, we can scan the chip in-clinic to confirm it’s working properly. If your pet is ever lost and brought to a shelter or veterinary hospital, a staff member can scan the chip, access the database, and retrieve your information to contact you.

Don’t Forget to Register Your Pet

Registering your pet’s microchip and keeping your contact info up to date is absolutely essential. An unregistered or outdated microchip won’t help reunite you with your pet. While a microchip is an excellent backup, it should always be used alongside a collar and ID tags, which are the first things people check when they find a lost animal.

We would be more than happy to help you register your pet's microchip, or you can visit the manufacturer's website for more information.

If you have questions about microchipping your pet, we would love to answer them for you. Please give us a call at the office at (310) 393-8218, or you can email us at [email protected]. Our staff would love to talk with you!

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