Pet Microchipping: Why It Matters & How It Keeps Your Pet Safe

What would you do if your pet went missing? It’s a question no pet owner ever wants to face—but it’s also why pet microchipping is one of the most important steps you can take. At Safe Harbor Animal Hospital, we strongly recommend microchipping all dogs and cats as part of a complete pet safety plan. A microchip provides a permanent form of identification that can never fall off, be removed, or become unreadable over time. Unlike collars or tags, a microchip stays with your pet for life—and can be the key to a joyful reunion if your pet ever gets lost.

We believe every pet deserves the best chance to find their way home. With a quick, simple, and affordable procedure, microchipping gives you peace of mind and protects the animals you love most.

Pet Microchipping: What Is It & How Does It Work?

A microchip is a tiny device—about the size of a grain of rice—that’s implanted just beneath your pet’s skin, usually between the shoulder blades. Occasionally it can migrate from its original implant site. When scanners are used appropriately, we will be able to find it. It’s completely safe, and the implantation process is similar to a routine vaccine injection.

Each chip contains a unique ID number that can be scanned by animal shelters, veterinary hospitals, and rescue organizations. That number is linked to your contact information in a national pet recovery database. If your pet is found and scanned, you’ll be contacted right away if your information is up to date.

Important facts about pet microchips:

  • They do not contain GPS or tracking capabilities.
  • They require no battery or maintenance.
  • They are permanent and designed to last a lifetime.
  • Registration must be kept up to date to work properly.

Whether your pet bolts out the front door or gets lost during a storm, or is unfortunately stolen, a microchip drastically increases the chance of them being returned to you. To learn more about microchips, watch this video!

Why Microchipping Dogs and Cats Is So Important

Every year, millions of pets are lost, and sadly, only a fraction of them ever make it back home. Microchipping gives your pet a voice when they need it most.

Here’s why it matters:

  • 1 in 3 pets will go missing at some point in their life.
  • Microchipped dogs are more than 2.5 times more likely to be returned to their owners.
  • Microchipped cats are 20 times more likely to be reunited.

Collars and tags are helpful but can fall off or be removed. A microchip provides permanent identification that travels with your pet everywhere they go.

Even indoor pets benefit—accidents happen, and all it takes is one open door, gate, or window. In the Lowcountry, hurricanes and evacuations can separate families from pets quickly. A microchip ensures your pet has a link to you, no matter what. 

Microchipping your pet is one of many practices for good pet owners. To learn more about pet owners best practices, check out this video!

The Microchipping Process at Safe Harbor Animal Hospital

At Safe Harbor Animal Hospital, microchipping is a fast, affordable, and painless procedure. Most pets don’t even flinch—and it can be done during any routine visit, including wellness exams or spay/neuter surgery.

Here’s what to expect:

  • The microchip is injected under the skin using a small needle.
  • No anesthesia is required (unless done during a surgical procedure).
  • The chip is immediately registered with your contact information.
  • We’ll walk you through how to update your information online in the future.

It will then be your responsibility to maintain current contact information with the microchip company.

Once placed, the microchip will stay in place for life. We also check your pet’s chip annually to make sure it’s still in place and scannable—just another reason why regular wellness visits matter.

While it is most common to microchip a pet during their spay or neuter surgery, you can microchip your pet at any point. This can be done quickly at their next office visit!

Pet Microchipping: Give Your Pet the Best Chance to Come Home

Microchipping is one of the simplest and most effective ways to protect your pet. It’s quick, affordable, and can make all the difference in an emergency. At Safe Harbor Animal Hospital, we’re proud to offer microchipping services for dogs and cats of all ages. Whether you’re a new pet parent or updating your current pet’s care plan, we’re here to help keep your furry family members safe.

Not sure if your pet is microchipped? We can check during your next visit! If your pet already has a chip but you’re unsure about the registration info, let us help you verify it.

Call us today at (843) 884-4921 or book an appointment online to get started. Give your pet the best chance of a safe return—because every pet deserves to come home.

Safe Harbor Animal Hospital in Mount Pleasant, SC, is part of a locally owned, family-owned network of animal hospitals known as Animal Hospitals of the Lowcountry. Our network includes:

  • Mount Pleasant Animal Hospital: South Mount Pleasant SC, At Coleman Blvd and Old Village
  • Shuler Veterinary Clinic: Central Mount Pleasant SC, At Town Center
  • Safe Harbor Animal Hospital: North Mount Pleasant SC, At North MP and Hwy 41

Let’s work together to keep our pets, families, and community safe!