The Importance of Microchipping Your Pet

At Companions Animal Hospital we recommend microchipping your pet as a means of permanent identification. We use the Avid FriendChip brand of microchip.  Developed by a veterinarian, the Avid FriendChip is the professional way to identifiy your pet and it's proven safe and effective.  A tiny microchip (approximately the size of a grain of rice) contains a personal, one-of-a kind identification number that distinguishes your pet as a special member of your family.

The FriendChip is so tiny that it fits through a hypodermic needle.  Just like a vaccination, it's injected under the skin of your pet where it remains safely for life. This inexpensive procedure can be done anytime and, best of all, protect virtually any pet you love...dogs, cats, horses, birds, reptiles, exotics, even fish!  Everywhere your pet goes, the FriendChip is there.  Real protection that can't fade or fall of.

Should your pet become separated or lost and is found by a participating shelter or veterinarian, they'll check him for a microchip with a special scanner.  When the shelter or veterinary clinic finds the chip number, they call Avid's 24 hour hotline.  After a quick search of the PETtrac database, you, your veterinarian, or other alternate contact person that you have listed is contacted so you can be reuinited with your pet.  A scanner is provided free of charge to any shelter that requests one.  More than 100,000 scanners have been placed that read the Avid Chip and lost pets are being found every day.