by Kara Crumrine

Created on: August 19, 2009

When any animal is adopted out to a family there are smiles, excitement and endless possibilities, but there are also always questions. Where did this animal come from? What has this animal been through? Will this animal's past affect its future in its new home? Because of new technologies we are able to answer some of these questions. Microchips are used to store information about the pet's owner and where they come from. This information is then carried with them wherever they roam.

When our pets become lost and turn up at an animal shelter they scan for a microchip. If that microchip is found and the information on it is retrieved, there can be a phone call that relieves one family of its stress and fear of loss. If the shelter is unable to contact the family or they refuse to claim their pet then at least the shelter knows the general area the pet came from by the address of the owner. This will give the workers at the shelter a better idea of what the animal is accustomed to. There are stories of animals traveling great distances away from their home. If the animal is from Texas and manages to make it to Colorado it might be better to adopt it out to a more similar climate.

Microchips are not tracking devices as some may say. They are scanned like a barcode on a product. This may seem cruel or degrading to some, however there is no map like a GPS that can pinpoint the exact location of all the pets in the world who bear a microchip. It is simply a small technological I.D. tag that doesn't have to be taken out to change the information. Unlike a tag on a collar, a new one doesn't need to be purchased if the information changes. You can simply have the information changed in the system, instantly informing your vet, shelters and animal hospitals. It really isn't so much different than having a tag engraved at your local pet supply store.

As far as the concern of discomfort of the pet, there is no need to fear.. As long as you have a well trained professional performing the procedure there is little or no pain involved. The chip is so tiny it is inserted just under the skin with a needle. Many pets don't even notice the small prick. There will always be variations in animals just as there are humans. Think of it, if you will, like humans giving blood. To some the prick of the needle is hardly noticeable, while to others it is a more serious experience. In hardly any situation, however, is it dangerous.

If the price is the main concern then look into the

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