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Microchipping

A quick microchip gives your pet a permanent ID and increases their chance of being reunited if lost.

Microchipping: A Simple Step That Can Bring Your Pet Home
Collars and tags are helpful, but they can fall off or become unreadable. Microchipping offers permanent, secure identification that can help reunite you with your pet if they’re ever lost.

This quick, one-time procedure gives your pet a voice when they need it most—and dramatically increases the chance of a safe return home.

What Is a Microchip?

A microchip is a tiny device—about the size of a grain of rice—that’s inserted just under the skin, usually between the shoulder blades. It contains a unique ID number that links to your contact information in a secure pet registry.

Important note: A microchip is not a GPS tracker. It doesn’t show your pet’s location in real time, but it allows shelters and veterinary clinics to scan and identify them if found.

How It Works

  1. A veterinarian injects the microchip under the skin with a quick, nearly painless injection

  2. The chip stays in place for life and requires no maintenance or battery

  3. When scanned, the chip shows a unique number tied to your contact details

  4. You register the chip with your contact info (we’ll guide you through it)

  5. If your pet ever ends up at a shelter or vet’s office, they’ll be scanned and matched to you

Why It Matters

  • 1 in 3 pets will go missing during their lifetime

  • Only about 20% of dogs and 2% of cats without microchips are reunited with their families

  • With microchips, return-to-owner rates increase significantly—up to 38% for cats and over 50% for dogs

Microchipping provides peace of mind that if the unexpected happens, your pet has a reliable way home.

When to Microchip

Microchipping can be done at almost any age, and we often recommend it during spay/neuter surgery to combine it with an existing procedure. But it can be done at any routine visit in just a few minutes.

We’ll also check your pet’s chip during exams to make sure it’s still in place and working properly.

Your pet depends on you to keep them safe—and microchipping is one of the simplest ways to do just that. It’s affordable, fast, and could make all the difference in a moment that matters.

📍Want to check your pet’s registration? Contact us, we’re happy to help.

Plaistow-Kingston Animal Medical Center FAQs

There is no question too big or too small for our veterinary team.

Cats may stop using their litter box for many reasons, including behavioral issues like disliking odors in multi-cat homes or signaling that the box needs cleaning. Medical causes can include bladder infections, crystals, kidney stones, or chronic diarrhea. Senior cats may also struggle with boxes that are too high due to joint pain. If your cat suddenly avoids the box or cries out when trying to use it, it could signal a serious problem such as a urinary blockage and should be evaluated right away. The caring team at Plaistow-Kingston Animal Medical Center is here to diagnose the cause and help your cat get back to feeling comfortable and healthy.

Plaistow-Kingston Animal Medical Center must be sure your pet is healthy enough to receive vaccinations. Vaccinating a sick patient could make their condition worse or even be life-threatening! Depending upon your pet's overall health, your veterinarian may recommend splitting annual vaccinations into two visits to lessen the possibility of complications.

As with humans, preventative medicine and early detection are keys to health and longevity. Our pets age at a far faster rate than we do. Taking your dog or cat for an annual physical examination here at Plaistow-Kingston Animal Medical Center is the equivalent of you seeing your doctor or dentist every 5-7 years. Only a full physical examination by a veterinarian can accurately assess the health of your pet and identify potential problems. If you have a senior pet (6+ years), we recommend exams twice a year for optimal care and health.

It's usually hard to tell by yourself at home, so please call us and describe what you're seeing. Signs of illness can include a significant decrease in appetite or activity level, vomiting, diarrhea, coughing, sneezing, limping, itching or losing hair, or eyes looking abnormal. Signs of emergencies can include trouble breathing, trauma, bleeding, stumbling, seizing, difficulty delivering puppies or kittens, and many eye problems. Call Plaistow-Kingston Animal Medical Center immediately (603-642-9700) if you see any of these symptoms.

NH and MA state law (along with many other states) now requires that all cats and dogs be current on rabies vaccinations. If an animal is not known to be vaccinated against the disease and bites someone, NH and MA state law require a mandatory 15-day quarantine period. Additionally, if an animal is unvaccinated and bites someone, the state may require your animal to be euthanized and tested for rabies, and the owner can be held liable for any personal injury claims stemming from the bite. All good reasons to have your pet vaccinated against rabies! For your convenience, we offer both 1 & 3-year rabies vaccinations. For all other vaccines, Plaistow-Kingston Animal Medical Center recommends vaccinating your pet once a year (especially if they go outside at all) to ensure they remain healthy should they become exposed to any disease preventable through current vaccinations. For more specific protocols, please consult with one of our veterinarians.

Call Plaistow-Kingston Animal Medical Center hospital to receive a recorded message for the emergency hospitals we refer to. We typically refer to the Intown Veterinary Group.