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Microchip Scanning
On this page, you will find more detailed instructions on scanning for microchips, find our microchip scanning locations, our link for reporting issues with the scanners, additional resources for missing pets, and the application for installing a station at your business or location.
Scanning for Microchips
How to Scan for a Microchip:
- Using the microchip scanner, start scanning slowly between the pet's shoulder blades, going side-to-side in an “S” shaped pattern.
- If no chip is detected, rotate the scanner 90 degrees and scan again between the pets shoulder blades
- Then, start at the pets head, and slowly scan side-to-side all the way to the per’s tail, making several passes over each area
- You may also check the pet’s legs, across its neck, along and under its chest and behind the front legs, but typically, microchips are implanted between the shoulder blades.
- When you find a microchip, a microchip number will appear on the scanner’s screen.
What to do if an animal is microchipped:
- Write the number down, so you don’t have to rescan.
- Call Home Again (1-888-466-3242)
- Let them know you have a found/stray animal and it has a microchip
- They will either get you the owner's information (name, phone number, and sometimes address) or will call the registered owner or entity that microchipped the animal on your behalf
- You can also look up microchips here: https://www.aaha.org/for-veterinary-professionals/microchip-registry-lookup-tool-aaha-find-your-pets-microchip-registry/
Problems that can arise and solutions:
- Microchip is not registered to a person
- Ask the Home Again representative for the name or contact information of the clinic/vet/breeder who the microchip was sold to.
- Contact the clinic/vet/breeder
- Let them know you have a found/stray animal that came in and has a microchip, but the microchip is not registered to an owner.
- They SHOULD be able to look up the animal in their system.
- Microchip is registered to an old owner
- Ask the person it is registered to if they know who the animal's current animal is, or if the animal was surrendered, where it was surrendered to.
- If the animal was surrendered to another facility, find the name and contact information for them (probably via Google). Call them and see if they have any records of who owns the animal
- If the person the chip is registered to has no information, our only route is posting online and finding the owner via the community.
- Ask the person it is registered to if they know who the animal's current animal is, or if the animal was surrendered, where it was surrendered to.
Support Our Microchip Scanning Station Program:
By supporting us, you can help pets reunite with their families
At PCHS, we are working on building and setting up microchip scanning stations in Pope and surrounding counties to help reunite lost pets to their owners faster.
The benefit of Microchip Scanning Stations
- Faster Reunions: Allowing anyone to scan a pet for a microchip can significantly speed up the process of reuniting lost pets with their owners.
- Community Involvement: Encourages community members to participate in helping lost pets find their way home.
- Reduced Shelter Stays: By facilitating faster identification and reunification, these stations can help reduce the time lost pets spend in shelters.
Interested in having a station at your business? We are accepting applications for microchip scanning stations. We are looking for central locations in surrounding towns and cities.
Current locations:
-Starbuck, MN (City building)
-Glenwood, MN (Western Prairie Human Services)
Apply here: https://forms.gle/RzfY5aGEb8qd5mmSA
Help for planning for this project came from Paws 4 Purpose who have been working on setting up microchip scanning stations in and around their community. We thank them for their help and many of our program details have been inspired by what has been working well for them.
Low Cost Microchipping
Did you know?
You can get your cats or dogs microchipped at PCHS! The cost is only $20 and all you have to do is call to set-up an appointment!
Give us a call today to get your pet chipped incase they go missing
320-634-4761