Lost and Found: Microchips and Pet Insurance

Microchipping is one of the best ways to keep your animal safe; an implanted microchip enables you to take your pet abroad, and also means that your beloved animal could be returned to you more quickly should he or she goes astray.

In 2008, the RSPCA microchipped 68,385 animals. The RSPCA recommends microchipping domestic animals, as it is currently the best way to register your animal to your address. A chip gives the pet its own unique code that is linked back to the owner. If your pet goes astray, the microchip can then be scanned and matched to your contact details on a database, such as the national PetLog database. The PetLog database is an independent service that holds the details of over 4.2 million microchipped pets and their owners - last year they assisted with over 108,000 lost and found calls, working to return pets to their owners.

The pet microchips are about the size of a large grain of rice. The implantation is a quick and painless procedure that should hurt no more than a vaccination. The chip is simply inserted just behind the cat or dog’s shoulder blades. The microchip remains inactive until scanned by the microchip reader. Your vet will usually offer the microchipping procedure and will be able to answer any questions you may have.

Although the standard process of microchipping is not covered by most insurers, if something goes wrong with the procedure, your pet insurance can protect you financially.

Microchipping is an essential part of the Pet Travel Scheme process needed to take your pet abroad. However, if your pet’s microchip fails as you try to take your pet abroad, your animal might have to be quarantined whilst the problem is resolved. Fortunately, pet insurance will usually cover the cost of quarantine kennelling costs and other costs incurred should your pet’s microchip fail (as long as the microchip is ISO Standard 1178 or Annex A to ISO Standard 11785).

If you are going away, be sure to have your pet’s microchip checked before you leave. It’s important to remember that your claim will not be valid if the microchip was not checked and found to be functioning properly within the 14 days prior to your departure on any trip. If you do have to make a claim, make sure that you keep all relevant bills and receipts as well as evidence documenting that your pet was received a standard microchip prior to your journey.

A microchip will protect your pet’s safety, whilst pet insurance can protect you financially in case something goes wrong.

19/10/2010

 

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