What is the purpose of microchipping pets?

Microchipping pets serves as a crucial method for providing identification in the event that they become lost. Each microchip contains a unique identification number that is linked to a database with the owner's contact information. If a lost pet is found and taken to a veterinary clinic or animal shelter, the staff can use a handheld scanner to read the microchip's information. This can effectively reunite the lost pet with its owner, making microchipping one of the most reliable forms of pet identification.

While tracking movements, monitoring health, and preventing escapes are important considerations in pet care, these are not the primary functions of microchipping. Microchips do not offer real-time tracking capabilities; they cannot convey health information, and they do not physically prevent a pet from escaping. Therefore, the main purpose of microchipping is to ensure pets have a reliable and permanent form of identification that aids in their safe return to their owners.