Pet Microchipping in Springdale, AR
At Southwest Pet Hospital, we offer safe, quick, and permanent microchipping for dogs and cats. A microchip is one of the most reliable ways to ensure your pet can be identified and returned to you if they ever become lost. Call us at (479) 751-5601 to schedule your pet’s microchipping appointment today.
Why Every Pet Should Be Microchipped
Every year, thousands of dogs and cats go missing across the United States. For many pet owners in Springdale, AR and throughout Northwest Arkansas, the thought of a lost pet is one of the most distressing situations imaginable. Collars and ID tags can fall off or be removed, but a microchip stays with your pet for life.
A microchip is a tiny electronic chip — about the size of a grain of rice — that is implanted just beneath the skin, typically between the shoulder blades. The procedure is quick and relatively painless, comparable to a routine vaccination. Once implanted, the chip contains a unique ID number that is registered in a national pet recovery database along with your contact information.
If your pet is ever found and brought to a veterinary clinic, animal shelter, or rescue organization, staff can scan for the microchip with a universal reader. The ID number links back to your registration, allowing them to contact you directly and get your pet home safely. It is one of the simplest and most effective things you can do to protect your pet.
How Pet Microchipping Works
The microchipping process at Southwest Pet Hospital is straightforward and can typically be done during a regular wellness visit. Here is what to expect:
- Quick implantation: Using a sterile needle, our veterinarian inserts the microchip just beneath the skin between your pet’s shoulder blades. The procedure takes only a few seconds and does not require anesthesia.
- Registration: After the chip is implanted, you will register your pet’s unique ID number in a national database along with your current contact information. It is important to keep this information up to date if you move or change phone numbers.
- Lifelong protection: The chip itself requires no battery and no maintenance. It will remain functional for the entirety of your pet’s life.
Microchipping pairs perfectly with our wellness care visits — it can easily be added on during your pet’s annual exam or vaccination appointment. It is also a great addition to your pet’s health plan if they will be using our boarding services or are an active outdoor pet at risk of wandering.
Do not wait until it is too late. A microchip brings lost pets home. Call Southwest Pet Hospital at (479) 751-5601 or contact us online to schedule your pet’s microchipping appointment in Springdale, AR.
Frequently Asked Questions About Pet Microchipping
Is microchipping painful for pets?
Microchipping involves a quick injection with a sterile needle, which is similar in sensation to a routine vaccine. Most pets experience little to no discomfort, and the procedure is over in just a few seconds. No anesthesia is required.
How does a pet microchip work?
A microchip contains a unique ID number that is stored in a national pet registry database along with your contact information. When a lost pet is scanned with a universal chip reader at a vet clinic or shelter, the ID number is retrieved and used to locate the owner.
Does a microchip replace a collar and ID tag?
No — a microchip works best as a complement to a collar and ID tag, not a replacement. Collars can fall off or be removed, but a microchip provides a permanent backup form of identification that cannot be lost.
How long does a pet microchip last?
Microchips are designed to last for the lifetime of your pet. They contain no batteries and require no maintenance once implanted. The chip will remain functional and detectable by standard scanners throughout your pet’s life.
What do I do after my pet is microchipped?
After the chip is implanted, you need to register your pet’s unique ID number in a national pet recovery database with your current contact information. It is also important to update your registration if you move or change phone numbers.
Can the microchip track my pet’s location?
Standard microchips do not use GPS and cannot track your pet’s real-time location. They are passive chips that can only be read when scanned with a chip reader. For GPS tracking, you would need a separate GPS collar device.
How do I get my pet microchipped at Southwest Pet Hospital?
Just call Southwest Pet Hospital at (479) 751-5601 or visit our Appointments page to schedule. Microchipping can often be done during a regular wellness visit or vaccination appointment — no separate trip required.