Microchipping

A microchip implant is a small inert device placed under an animal's skin. Microchips are extremely useful in the quick and accurate return of lost pets. They can also assist when the ownership of an animal is in dispute. The implants are about the size of a large grain of rice and contain a unique number which can be scanned through the skin. The microchip number can then be matched against a nationwide database to find the registered owner's contact information. 

When a pet is quickly matched to its owner, the shelter avoids the expense of housing, feeding, providing medical care, and outplacing or euthanizing the pet. Microchipping is standard at BHS -  all adopted animals receive a microchip and registration as part of the adoption package. We also provide this service at our shelter, with no appointment necessary. If you are interested in having your animal microchipped please stop by the shelter during our public hours. Cost to microchip your animal is $25.00.

Q. Does microchipping hurt the animal?
A. No, inserting a microchip is the very similar to giving a vaccination. It is inserted between the shoulder blades through the use of a sterile needle-like applicator. There may be a pinch at the moment of insertion but it's over in a second.  No adverse health effects have been known to result from microchip implants in animals. It is possible to feel the microchip under the animal's skin but it does not cause discomfort to do so.

Q. How big is the microchip?
A. It is very small, similar in size and shape as a grain of rice. 

Q. How much does it cost?
A. Butte Humane Society microchips every animal adopted at our shelter as part of the adoption fee. There is no additional charge. If you have an animal you would like to have microchipped, you may bring the animal in during open hours without an appointment. The fee is an affordable $25, a very low cost to give you the peace of mind that you have done everything possible to ensure that if your animal is ever missing the chances are greatly increased that he or she will be returned to you.

Q. How is the microchip detected?
A. In California, veterinarians and animal shelters are required by law to scan every animal coming in to the facility for sheltering. A special scanner is used which will detect a microchip when passed over the animal. If there is a microchip present a number unique to that chip will be displayed on the scanner's screen. This number can then be checked against a database and the registered owner's details found.

Q. Why is a collar and tag not sufficient?
A. From our experience, collars are often lost or removed while the animal is straying, especially in the case of cats. Also, some animals are very reluctant to wear collars and can become a danger if the animal is trying to remove it. Collars may get caught in brush or trees, and in extreme cases they could cause the animal to hang. (It is recommended that microchipped animals still wear a collar with their license tag attached, as this is an added visual indication that the animal is owned and not a stray).