It is now compulsory to register microchipped pets and to register cats, dogs and ferrets kept in Turkey. Thus, the microchip application was created for situations where your pet is lost, stolen or left unattended. Pet owners brought in by the Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry are required to present a passport and microchip application. With this necessity, some questions have arisen in the minds of pet owners about microchipping. What is a microchip in pets, why is it useful? We have answered your questions…
Chipping of pets, cats and dogs, must now be done by a certain date. According to the published law, dogs must be chipped by the end of 2021, cats by the end of 2022 and those who don’t will have to pay a fine of 10,000 TL. Before microchipping became mandatory, many pet owners voluntarily had their furry friends implanted with microchips. Getting a microchip may seem like a cruel attempt for your cute friend at first, as you are not fully aware of this issue. After all, we are talking about the process of implanting a chip under the skin. But once you understand what this process is, you will also understand how useful it is to use a chip. This is very important for the protection of pets. Let’s talk about what a microchip is. Are there benefits and dangers of microchipping? Let’s go into these questions in more detail….
What is microchip? Working logic of the microchip
A microchip is a simple group of electronic circuits as small as a grain of rice. In other words, it is a permanent electronic identification system. This system, which is as small as a grain of rice, is placed under your pet’s skin. It is used by being implanted under the skin behind your furry friend’s neck. There is no on-chip battery or power supply. It is designed to be more durable than the average pet’s lifespan. There are special numbers inside the chips. The private information of the animal and its owner can be accessed in the database registered with these numbers. Thanks to this chip, it is ensured that the probably lost animal has an identity.
If the animal is lost, the veterinarian, animal shelters and municipalities can determine this by scanning the microchip in the animal. Therefore, it is important to ensure that the contact information of the owners is registered in the system according to the microchip number of the pets. After the registration process, you will be contacted through the system thanks to the data obtained through scanning.
What are the benefits of a microchip for pets?
Just as we have our own unique Turkish ID number, it is a device the size of a grain of rice where our pets also have a unique number to themselves. The microchip application creates space in the database system for each pet. This system contains the age, breed, vaccinations and personal information of your pet’s owner. The lost dog’s identity information is obtained by scanning by the veterinarian or shelter staff. It is placed between the animal’s two shoulder blades. Shortly after the procedure is performed under the skin, it resumes its normal life.
Another advantage of the microchip is the detection of animals that have been adopted and later unfortunately abandoned. Thanks to this, there will be criminal sanctions for those who leave their pets on the streets. The best and most useful way to protect your pets is to have them chipped. If your dog is stolen by someone and adopted by someone else, this is very easy to spot. The dog that is taken to the vet will be handed over to its real owner, as it will turn out to belong to someone other than its identity details.
How do I update the contact information on the microchip?
If your contact information changes, the information registered in the system must be updated. To ensure this, you should go to your vet with your pet’s microchip number. They will go to the veterinary clinic and forward it to the person who lists the microchip information. This way you can contact them directly and complete your transaction. In addition, some veterinary clinics also have the ability to update addresses through the system.
Will it hurt my cat / dog when the microchip is inserted?
This is a very safe process that is done quickly. It causes very little pain. Some kitties may back away or your dog may bark when the chip is inserted under the skin. But this pain is very minor and lasts for a short time. It is comparable to the pain your pet feels when they have their routine vaccinations. Only when the microchip is applied, the needle is slightly thicker than the normal vaccination needle. Once this process is complete, most animals don’t even remember their pain after a short time. As the pain tolerance is close to the vaccine, anaesthesia is not necessary.
When should your pet be microchipped?
It is recommended by experts to do this immediately after the cat adoption / dog adoption. It is important to microchip the pet you have adopted. This is because it is the best way to find them easily and quickly if they get lost. Otherwise it would be very difficult to find. If your little friend hasn’t had it put in yet, you should go to your vet as soon as possible and have this procedure done. You can have this procedure done after your pet is at least 8 weeks old.
Fees for pet microchipping
There is currently no fixed price for this application. The prices for cat microchipping and dog microchipping vary depending on the veterinary clinic. There are veterinary clinics that perform this procedure, on average from 75 to 200 TL. If pet owners receiving this procedure do not have a veterinary clinic they regularly go to for price and safety, they should do extensive research.
Who can have a pet microchip scan?
The Data used for registration after the application can only be seen by the producer-owner. As mentioned earlier, vets and shelter managers can also scan chips. However, they must contact the chip manufacturer to do so. During chip registration, the pet owner’s decision is asked as to what information they share.
Frequently asked questions about microchipping
Are pets anaesthetised when the microchip is inserted?
No. No anaesthesia is required during the procedure.
How long does the microchip last in pets?
There is no battery or power supply on the chip. It is a structure that lasts longer than the average lifespan of your pet. It is manufactured to be wear-resistant. It is targeted by manufacturers to last up to 25 years.
Who puts the microchips on pets?
The insertion of the chip is only done by veterinarians.
Where is the microchip placed on pets?
This application is placed under the skin between the shoulder blades of the cat and dog.
From what age can I microchip my cat / dog?
It is possible to have the microchip procedure inserted after your cat or dog is 8 weeks old. If your vet sees no obstacles to it, you can have it inserted at any time.
Does it hurt the animal when the microchip is inserted?
The chip is placed under the skin using a special injector. The chip needle is thicker than normal needles. The pain, is just like a vaccination. So they do not feel much pain and suffering.
Source: https://petyasam.com/evcil-hayvanlara-mikrocip-nasil-takilir-mikrocip-faydalari/