It’s
a common question among pet owners: “Can I track my cat with a microchip?” The
quick answer is no. A microchip doesn’t provide you with the real-time location
of your missing pet. However, a missing cat that has been microchipped would be
much easier to identify and find, compared to a cat that hasn’t been
microchipped.
So
how do you find a lost cat with a microchip? The most important thing you need
to understand about microchips is that they’re basically an identification tag
that would have to be scanned by specified systems for you to find out where
your cat is.
How Microchips Work?
Microchips
are small devices, almost the same size as a grain of rice, that is implanted
by a licensed vet beneath your pet’s skin. The chip carries a unique serial
number, which can be detected using microchip scanners. Having your cat
microchipped would require completing the registration with the microchipping
company. This is usually done online or making a call. If you completed the
registration, your contact information and some details about your pet would
show up whenever the microchip is scanned.
How
to track my cat with a microchip? You can’t. Microchips are essential,
permanent identification tags, but unlike collars or tags, they can’t be
removed and don’t get lost or broken. They could last your pet’s entire
lifetime.
Animal
shelters and vets can do routine scans on lost animals that are brought in.
Once scanned, the owner information can be viewed and the microchipping company
would also be informed of the cat’s current location.
One crucial thing you should know about microchips is that they only help you find your pet if your information is updated. Whether it’s a vet, an animal collection officer, or a shelter warden who scans the chip, the microchip will tell them who the animal is registered to, allowing them to make an effort to find you.
How Do I Track My Cat with Microchip?
A
microchip isn’t a real-time tracker, but it can help you find your missing pet
faster. To find a lost cat with a microchip, take the following steps:
1.
Enter the
serial number into the microchip registry.
The
first step on how to find a lost cat with microchip is informing the
microchipping company immediately. The company maintains an online registry
that contains your details and pet’s information. Go to the company website and
enter the serial number of your pet cat’s microchip. You may also make a direct
and follow up calls to the company to see if your cat has been scanned
anywhere.
There
are some cases when your cat may have been microchipped before you became his
owner. If you are unsure about which microchipping company you should inquire
with, there are multiple databases online containing information about
microchipped pets, such as petmicrochiplookup.org. You may also call the vet, the breeder, or
the previous owner for microchip information if you don’t have the serial
number.
2.
Wait for a
phone call.
It’s
routine procedure for many shelters and animal clinics to scan stray or lost
pets to help identify the owner. They will either notify the microchipping
company or directly contact you if your microchip information is up to date. Waiting
might perhaps be the most trying period when searching for your lost cat. But
remember that 38% of microchipped cats have been successfully reunited with their
owners.
If
your cat has been microchipped, it’s important that you or someone else is
always available to answer the phone, in case your cat’s microchip turns up
somewhere. Shelters have varying rules with regard to holding lost animals, but
they would usually give the owners enough time to come forward to claim their
lost pet, upon being notified that their pet has been identified.
How
do I find my lost cat with a microchip? While you wait for that important call,
you can take many other steps to hasten your search
for your lost cat. These include
printing and distributing lost pet flyers, doing a thorough search of the
immediate area, reporting your lost pet to PawMaw.com, and getting in touch with nearby animal
shelters.
3.
Call nearby
animal shelters.
Report
your lost cat to animal shelters and inform them that your pet has been
microchipped. You may also do the same with vet hospitals and animal rescue
organizations in your immediate vicinity. Someone may have already taken your
cat in any of these places and may be unable to track you because of
information that hasn’t been updated. Don’t hesitate to make follow up calls or
physical visits to see if your cat has been located.
Can
I locate my cat with a microchip? No, but microchipping is still very good
practice if you’re a cat owner. Microchips don’t work like GPS trackers, but
they provide permanent identification and instant notification about your lost
cat’s whereabouts. Should you need to update your address or any contact
information related to your pet, it can just as easily be done by making a call
or online through the microchipping company’s website.
And
because microchips don’t allow you to track your cat real time, remember that
it always helps to spread word about your search. While you wait for any
information that may come up from the microchipping company, you should also
actively search for your cat in all possible hiding places around the
neighborhood. Lost cat behavior differs with each cat. Based on your cat’s
personality, you can determine whether he’s hiding fearfully, or boldly
ventured out into more unfamiliar territory.
Posters
are also an effective way to expand your search. When you report your lost
pet to PawMaw.com, you can easily
make and download a lost pet flyer for free. Print these out and put up the
poster in strategic spots. Try everything and don’t ever give up trying to find your lost cat. If you act fast and be smart in your search,
your efforts will surely pay off and your pet will be back home in no time.
November 07, 2020 at 05:41
Tami alllen says:
I just got my kitty chipped and all his shots and really miss him so much. If someone has him please take care of him he’s is a very noisy and like very loyal! Whoever has him please take care of him.