The microchip in your cat is a unique identifier number. Initially, the microchip links back to the shelter, rescue, or veterinary hospital that purchased the microchips. Once it's inserted into your cat, it's crucial to register it in a microchip database with your details. This way, if your cat is lost and then found, a scan will reveal your contact details. Remember to keep your database details up-to-date to ensure your cat can be returned to you if lost. It can be disheartening to find a microchipped cat and not be able to contact the owner due to outdated contact information.

To insert a cat's microchip, we use a special device and a large bore needle. We lift the cat's skin and insert the needle like an injection, but instead of delivering liquid, we're inserting a microchip. The microchip is minute, about the size of a grain of rice. Once it's inserted, we scan it with our microchip scanner to ensure it's active. It's possible for a cat to have more than one microchip. Rescues or shelters sometimes insert microchips before we get a chance to scan the cat. If we find a microchip during the scan, we report both numbers to the cat owner.

Ideally, the chip will stay where it's put, but that's not always true. We insert microchips in the back shoulder region, but they can sometimes move, especially in pets that were microchipped when they were very young and then grew quite a bit. The microchip may end up sliding down the front legs, maybe into the shoulder area or down by the elbows.

The only people that can scan the microchip are healthcare providers that have microchip scanners. Anyone with a scanner can scan a pet for a microchip, but it's just a database that you go out to that's going to have the information that you put into it regarding that pet's microchip.

It's just the number. Once the number is searched within the microchip database, the only information retrieved will be what you provided. This typically includes your name, address, phone number, and possibly your pet's name. For instance, you might have entered 'Fluffy' as your pet's name along with the chip information. No sensitive information beyond this is stored in the database. For example, it won't include your credit card number or social security number. The microchip is solely a means to help your cat find its way back to you.

The information from your cat's microchip works in the following way: First, the microchip is sold to the pet hospital or rescue shelter that purchases these microchips. Once we implant the microchip into your cat, we provide you with information, either in the form of a brochure or by assisting you in visiting a website to upload the microchip number. This number is a unique identifier for the microchip we implanted, consisting of sixteen digits. You then enter your information into a database, which typically includes just your name, address, and phone number. This simple process allows you to associate your information with the microchip so you can be reunited with your cat if needed.