Microchipping
Microchipping is by far the most effective permanent way to identify your pet. Tags, though visible and ideal, are sometimes not worn or become detached from the collar. Microchips are approximately the size of a grain of rice and are placed under the skin between your pet's shoulder blades using a large needle. Though it might sound painful, michrochipping will feel like a sharp pinch to your cat, dog, or ferret, and is well worth their return in the event of an escape.
Should your pet get away from your home, their microchip can be identified with a scanner - almost every (if not all) veterinary clinics are equipped with scanners, as are animal control facilities. When scanned, a microchip produces a serial number linked to your information. Anyone who finds your pet and has it scanned with a universal scanner will be able to contact the microchip company with the number; your family will then be notified that your missing pet has been found.

It is our hospital's policy to hold microchipped or tagged pets (assuming they are not aggressive) until the owner is located, even if they cannot be immediately reached.

If you are ready to schedule your pet to be microchipped, please call our office. Remember to ask about our package special - receive $15 off a microchip with your pet's annual wellness visit!

SPECIAL UPDATE: Please be advised that the city of San Antonio no longer requires pets to be microchipped for city registration. Dr. Carter feels very strongly against this, and believes that pet owner education, spaying/neutering and microchipping in combination is the first and most fundamental step towards making San Antonio a no-kill shelter system. If you agree, please voice your concerns to the city of San Antonio and Animal Care Services.