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Microchipping Other Pets

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A microchip is a small implant, the same size as a grain of rice, which sits underneath the skin. When the area containing the microchip is scanned, a unique 15-digit code is retrieved. This code can be registered on a national database against your details, meaning if your pet ever gets lost or stolen you can be easily identified as their owner.

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Microchipping ferrets

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Ferrets are masters of escaping, so having a microchip will strongly increase the chances of them being successfully returned to you. This is especially recommended in working ferrets that may disappear into burrows for long periods of time. Stray ferrets taken to a vet or to the RSPCA will be scanned for a microchip.

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Ferrets can be very wriggly and are not always happy to be handled, so a small amount of anaesthetic gas is administered to allow microchipping. This makes sure the microchip is placed correctly and the ferret won’t feel it. The procedure is very quick but should only be carried out by a veterinary surgeon.

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Microchipping tortoises

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Microchipping your tortoise is a quick and simple way to permanently identify them. This can be useful in tortoises allowed to free roam outside, as escapes do happen. It also allows some traceability for tortoises that are rehomed during their lifetime.

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Microchips in tortoises are usually placed under the skin or into the muscle of the back left leg. Depending on how agreeable the tortoise is, this can be performed with them awake or may require a light sedative to allow the leg to be retrieved. The procedure is very quick but should only be carried out by a veterinary surgeon.

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Microchipping birds

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Microchipping birds is a great alternative or addition to ring identification. While a ring can be removed or changed, a microchip cannot. Some birds can also outgrow their rings, potentially causing significant damage to the leg and foot. A microchip can be used for identification if your bird were to escape but is also useful if a bird is stolen or sold.

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Microchips in birds are usually placed under the skin or into the muscle of the breast. Anaesthetic gas is administered to allow quick and accurate placement and ensures the bird does not feel it. Microchipping is suitable for most birds but is more commonly performed in medium to large parrots. The procedure is very quick but should only be carried out by a veterinary surgeon.

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Keeping your pets’ microchip details up to date

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It is your responsibility to ensure the details held against the microchip number are kept up to date. This means you must contact the database the microchip is registered to if you move house, change phone number, or rehome your pet. If your pet does get lost or stolen, let the database know as most will mark this against the microchip number.